Solicitor-General Rich Coleman says the B.C. government may regulate stores selling hydroponic equipment as a way of cracking down on the marijuana trade. Officials are studying a proposed law that would force hydroponic equipment sellers to keep a registry of their buyers -- which could then be forwarded to police, he told a B.C. Liberal convention in Whistler. "It might focus people's minds a bit more," he argued, speculating the registry would be similar to regulations facing Vancouver pawn shops, which have electronic links to police tracking property crimes. [continues 61 words]
WHISTLER, B.C. - Solicitor General Rich Coleman says the B.C. government is considering regulating stores that sell hydroponic equipment as a way of cracking down on the marijuana trade. Mr. Coleman said his officials are studying a proposed law that would force hydroponic equipment sellers to keep a registry of their buyers, which could then be forwarded to police. "It might focus people's minds a bit more," Mr. Coleman said following a debate at the B.C. Liberal convention at this mountainside resort. [continues 138 words]
B.C.'s Solicitor-General Pushes For A Crackdown On Marijuana Growers Solicitor-General Rich Coleman says the B.C. government is considering regulating stores that sell hydroponic equipment as a way of cracking down on the marijuana trade. Coleman said his officials are studying a proposed law that would force hydroponic equipment sellers to keep a registry of their buyers, which could then be forwarded to police. "It might focus people's minds a bit more," Coleman told The Vancouver Sun following a debate at the B.C. Liberal convention at this mountainside resort. [continues 284 words]
Solicitor General Rich Coleman says it is unacceptable for marijuana to be openly sold in Vancouver stores while city politicians take a "ho-hum attitude" to the illegal activity. "You can't take a soft attitude towards the fact that somebody wants to sell an illegal drug in a store under a business license in that city," Coleman said Wednesday, denouncing the city's weak response to the illegal activity. Coleman does not direct police operations or investigations, but said he is confident the law will be enforced. [continues 849 words]
Solicitor-General Condemns City Politicians for Not Taking Marijuana Shops Seriously Enough VICTORIA -- Solicitor-General Rich Coleman says it is unacceptable for marijuana to be openly sold in Vancouver stores while city politicians take a "ho-hum attitude" to the illegal activity. "You can't take a soft attitude towards the fact that somebody wants to sell an illegal drug in a store under a business licence in that city," Coleman said Wednesday, denouncing the city's weak response to the illegal activity. [continues 1018 words]
Welfare - Addicts and the Mentally Ill Will Have to Draft 'Employment Plans' VICTORIA - Thousands of British Columbians suffering from mental illness, alcoholism or drug addiction will soon be forced to draft "employment plans" in order to continue receiving welfare. Changes approved by cabinet, revealed Friday, will impose new regulations on a thousands of vulnerable provincial residents in what the government calls a continued effort to make income recipients more self-reliant. "We don't want to give up on people simply because they've got some barriers to employment," said government spokesman Richard Chambers. [continues 408 words]
Finance Minister Interrupts Hawaii Vacation to Answer Questions After Police Investigation VICTORIA -- Looming large above David Basi's legislature desk, in an office no larger than a bathroom, sits a bright yellow Fat Choy cat, the Chinese symbol for good fortune. However, as the mysterious scandal involving drugs and organized crime continues to swirl, good fortune seems in short supply as the B.C. government scrambles to reassure the public while it struggles to understand the police raids on the legislature. [continues 953 words]
Campbell admits concern about taint of investigation VICTORIA -- B.C. politicians scrambled Monday to deal with politically devastating allegations involving drugs, money-laundering and organized crime that led directly into the offices of two cabinet ministers. Although no politicians are being investigated by police, Premier Gordon Campbell admitted he is concerned about the taint the police investigation involving political staffers can have on his government. "Obviously it's troubling to everyone," he said from his vacation spot in Hawaii. On Monday, the premier's office fired Dave Basi, the top political aide to Finance Minister Gary Collins and suspended with pay Bob Virk, the top political assistant to Transportation Minister Judith Reid. [continues 993 words]
VICTORIA -- At the same time Premier Gordon Campbell is preparing to seek alcohol abuse counselling, his government is cutting services for thousands of others who require the same assistance. Drug and alcohol counselling providers say they are being forced to cut services by about 10 per cent as a result of provincial budget constraints. Roy Crowe, executive director of the Association of Substance Abuse Programs of B.C., called it ironic that Campbell would be seeking the very services his government is cutting. [continues 464 words]
The Vancouver Island Drug Awareness Officer Had Access To Cocaine And Heroin, But Was Not A Long-Time User, RCMP Say COURTENAY -- Vancouver Island drug awareness officer Barry Schneider improperly gained access to heroin and cocaine from an RCMP exhibit locker on at least two occasions -- including the day before his overdose death, police revealed Friday. But despite his easy access to drugs, the popular 23-year veteran of the RCMP was not a long-time user of illegal narcotics, they said. "This tragic event underscores how the effects of drugs are a potentially powerful force that can lure and seduce even the strongest of characters under the right circumstances," RCMP Corporal Grant Learned told a press conference Friday. [continues 838 words]
COURTENAY -- He was the local drug expert, the man who coordinated the RCMP's drug-awareness programs on much of Vancouver Island. Constable Barry Schneider spoke to school children, regularly lectured local audiences and planned the drug exhibits at community events. But shocked police officers in this small community revealed Thursday what they hadn't thought possible: the 43-year-old Schneider, a 23-year veteran of the force, died in November of a drug overdose. "We were completely devastated by this news," Courtenay Inspector Dave Zack said. "Barry had a tremendous knowledge as to all aspects of drug abuse." [continues 553 words]
The move is welcomed by Vancouver city police officials, who have been pressing for help to fight out-of-control gang crimes. Claiming police are losing the battle against biker gangs, Attorney-General Ujjal Dosanjh is promising immediate action to combat out-of-control crimes involving smuggling, drugs and intimidation. Dosanjh promised an action plan within two weeks, hinting it may include further police resources. Vancouver city police, whose members have been pressing for more officers and money to fight biker gangs, welcomed Dosanjh's comments Wednesday. [continues 491 words]
