There is a danger in doing something to solve a problem without fully understanding the possible consequences of such actions ("States Fight Opioid Epidemic With Data," U.S. News, Sept. 3). I am acutely aware of the problems with the current opioid epidemic. A 26-year-old patient of mine recently died of an unintentional heroin overdose. I am also acutely aware of the law of unintended consequences in medical policies. Not so many years ago, pain was declared the fifth vital sign. Medical charts had faces ranging from smiles to frowns to register patient discomfort, and staff routinely inquired as to pain experienced by patients. This movement, led by medical leadership, of course, resulted in more prescriptions of opiates. Subsequently, medical leadership became aware of the risk of opiate overprescribing, and pressure is increasing to reduce opiate prescribing. After many physicians became reluctant to continue prescribing opiates, some patients purchased illicit opiate medication from dealers. As the supply of illicit opiates decreased and the price escalated, patients then turned to heroin, which is cheaper and lasts longer. Unfortunately, heroin from dealers frequently is mixed with fentanyl and other substances such as carfentanil. Deaths from heroin overdoses have escalated. One can only speculate how many young lives are being lost because of changes in medical policy. Cleveland [end]
Lineups at city's first storefront marijuana store, even though police say it's illegal A new marijuana shop that has been swamped with customers since opening on George St. N. on Friday is operating illegally, say city police. Peterborough Police stated in a release that they are investigating Cannabis Culture, a store at 282 George St. N (in the former Circus furniture store location). The store sells marijuana for medical or recreational use. It's open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. [continues 459 words]
Critics say slow approach to legalization is creating a Wild West atmosphere All three major provincial political party leaders agree that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to clear the haze swirling around marijuana legalization. In a rare display of unanimity at Queen's Park, Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne, Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown and NDP Leader Andrea Horwath are each urging Ottawa to provide some direction. "We need to get some clarity from the federal government on timeline and process," said Wynne, who has officials from 12 provincial departments working on a marijuana strategy dealing with health, justice and social implications. [continues 469 words]
The Durham cop allowed by his force to co-own a controversial marijuana company gave thousands of dollars in sponsorship money to a soccer team run by the senior police official whose department vetted his pot shop ownership application. Chief administrative officer Stan MacLellan oversees Durham police's human resources unit, which handled the request from veteran Const. Phil Edgar to co-own Living On Inc., a medical weed shop located in Port Perry. A recent Star investigation found the marijuana company is unlicensed and its website offers customers drug products, such as pot brownies, that are illegal to sell because of concerns of overdose or unintentional ingestion by children. Edgar, a successful businessman when he's not patrolling the streets, sponsored the girls competitive soccer team for at least three seasons. MacLellan, a civilian employee of the Durham police, coached the team and his daughter was a player. [continues 934 words]
Re: "More marijuana research needed," editorial, Sept. 13. The editorial on legalizing marijuana is good as far as it goes, but omits one of the most important issues: driving under the influence. It makes no sense to legalize pot before we put in place laws and testing procedures similar to those we have for driving under the influence of alcohol. This has proven to be a big problem in Colorado and is compounded by the fact that many users combine the use of marijuana and alcohol. R.A. Green, MD Victoria [end]
The homes overlook Parksville Bay in what seems to be an idyllic location. Just below the sunny decks of the houses on Sutherland Place, residents say illegal drug activity is rampant, constant and destroying their quality of life. A group of residents who met with The NEWS this week said they have made hundreds of calls to the police - and almost as many to the city - - about what's going on in the ravine and beach beside and below their homes. [continues 596 words]
Owner seems unworried about police Your local marijuana dealer is now downtown. Owner Richard Standen is selling bud to both recreational and medical users out of his newly opened store, Cannabis Culture. The store opened on George Street on Friday (Sept. 9). Standen says business has been non-stop. "We have had a wonderful reception," he explains. Standen says the store is not a medical marijuana dispensary. He said anyone over the age of majority can purchase their pot from the store. [continues 294 words]
DURHAM - Days after abruptly shuttering its doors, an Oshawa marijuana dispensary has reopened, in defiance of a warning from Durham police. The Emerald Triangle dispensary on Simcoe Street North has resumed operations because clients are in need and buying pot on the street isn't a safe alternative for them, said Irie Selkirk, a consultant who spoke on behalf of the dispensary's owners. "This location has chosen to reopen their doors," she said. "The principals here received word from at least 40 patients who are having significant health issues. [continues 289 words]
Fewer messages hit home stronger than those rooted in a death, particularly that of a young person. And the message delivered by the South Surrey family of 20-year-old Danika Koltai in recent days is no exception. Danika, who was a popular employee at the Morgan Crossing Starbucks at the time of her death,died of a drug overdose Sept. 1 in Delta. In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, her father Tom describes her passing as the result of "an accidental but deadly concoction of prescription and non-prescription" drugs. [continues 164 words]
With 22 deaths in the first half of this year, city council votes to support supervised consumption service Kamloops city council has voted unanimously to support the concept of a supervised site where people can consume illicit drugs under medical supervision amid a surge in overdose deaths in the city. In the first half of this year, 22 people died of drug overdoses in Kamloops, which has a population of roughly 86,000. In comparison, seven people died of drug overdoses in all of 2015. [continues 673 words]
