The Yukon's RCMP and the territory's top doctor are warning residents to be aware that potentially deadly cocaine, contaminated with animal antibiotics, is making its way across the country. Some could well reach the Yukon, they believe. According to officials, cocaine cut with the hog de-worming drug levamisole surfaced in British Columbia, Alberta and, most recently, the Northwest Territories. Those ingesting levamisole may experience fever or chills, swollen glands, sores around the mouth and anus, pneumonia, thrush and potentially fatal blood poisoning. [continues 216 words]
The territory needs a registry of all properties identified as former marijuana grow-ops, according to Arthur Mitchell, leader of the Yukon Liberal Party. "Grow-ops and illegal drug operations can produce property defects and health hazards that are major concerns for the public,"Mitchell said this week. "And potential purchasers need a central place to check before buying." Damage to the structural integrity of a property and severe mold infestations can depend on the size of an operation and how long a place has been used to grow marijuana. [continues 394 words]
Couple Discover It's Not Easy to Get Addiction Help Getting clean and sober is a challenge, as one Yellowknife couple discovered during their quest to access treatment for a debilitating crack addiction. When Dawn first discovered her husband Frank (not their real names) was addicted to crack, it came as a surprise. "I didn't know until a year-and-a-half into the relationship," said the 24-year-old. "I had people tell me and I didn't believe them but he took off one time, came back a few days later and that's when I found the (crack) pipe." [continues 564 words]
Tough New Legislation Could Eliminate Drug Dealers - Hawkins Crack houses might be a thing of the past if the territorial government proceeds with legislation that could allow residents to help remove drug dens from their neighbourhoods. "I want this to be the bug spray for those cockroaches," said Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins, who has pushed the government to look at similar legislation enacted in other provinces and territories. Known as the Safe Communities and Neighbourhoods Act and already in effect in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Yukon, the law is designed to target and shut down residential and commercial buildings that are used to commit crimes. [continues 338 words]
