A human brain has as many connections in it as the world's telephone system. It is made up of about 100 billion cells and each cell communicates with about 10,000 other cells. That means the human brain has as many cells as there are trees in the Amazon rainforest and as many connections to other cells as there are leaves on those trees. For years highly trained scientists have used the most sophisticated equipment trying to find out how the brain works so they could treat diseases like Parkinson's Disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease as well as mental illness. There is still a long way to go. [continues 386 words]
Dorit Perlin, Robson Valley child and youth mental health counsellor, says there's something very sinister about the way drug peddlers get young people addicted to crystal meth. She says the highly addictive drug is often hidden in party drugs like ecstasy, and before the user knows it he or she is hooked. "A person becomes addicted to this pill, whatever it is they think they are taking, at the same rate as they would for crystal meth," she said, "but they don't know it." [continues 130 words]
In the 12 years Valemount Constable Ed Burstrom has been with the RCMP he's seen a lot. He had a good look at the damage crystal meth does to its users during the six years he worked in the Fort McMurray area. "My experience is hands-on, on the street. I've seen some really nasty outcomes," he said. Burstrom says that from what he's seen the drug is highly addictive and the damage it does is irreversible. "One doctor told me the only way off it is death." [continues 96 words]
We have many concerns about the incident that occurred on July 20th. We were both very angry at the way the local RCMP and the other supporting forces handled what was supposed to be a drug bust. We are very upset that the RCMP admitted to not finding what they were looking for but offered no sign of being sympathetic with regards to what we had to endure as innocent residents. We were offered no apology, no explanation, and calls that the RCMP received from our concerned family members were never returned. [continues 414 words]
On July 20 Valemount RCMP assisted by special units from Prince George and Vancouver raided a local residence. Police acted on information that the residence housed a crystal meth lab. But a thorough search showed that the house had no such lab, leaving the people living there embarrassed and outraged that their home and privacy had been violated. The anger is understandable. In this country we enjoy a lot of individual freedom. We take certain rights for granted and it's a shock if authorities come into our home against our will. It is especially shocking when they come heavily armed and equipped to deal with life-threatening hazards. [continues 354 words]
