Editor: I received numerous e-mails on my column Satanism and Addictions. The first was from an astute reader, Harry Fisher in Los Angeles. He writes, dude "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" is not about Angel Dust or PCP. Can you guess what it's about? You're right - marijuana. I humbly stand corrected; Harry and I appreciate your feedback. John Lennon wrote this song and later admitted he was under the influence of LSD when he scripted it. Another e-mail was from an individual accusing me of promoting Satanism through the use of mood altering substances. [continues 114 words]
To begin this topic with anyone other than Aleister Crowley (born Edward Alexander Crowley, October, 12, 1875 to December 1, 1947) would be an injustice. This individual has probably done more to influence the misuse of drugs, the proliferation of satanic rituals and the misogynistic culture in today's society than any other human being. He was raised in a Quaker household and from the moment his father (a fanatical preacher) died when he was 11, he dedicated his life to a hedonistic lifestyle, spreading dysfunction wherever he went. [continues 776 words]
Money talks! BS walks! The city of Victoria has now set up a new Detox system for walk in clients. The current system does not work. There are 7 Detox beds in Victoria for 1,000 estimated addicted people. How ludicrous. These walk in beds may help some of the working class addicts however they will do absolutely nothing to help the seriously addicted and mentally ill homeless people plaguing the community. People complain about the individuals using and abusing licit and illicit substances, behaving in an uncivilized manner such as stealing, drinking and shooting up in doorways and on park benches and urinating in public places. The reality of the situation is that the closest adult withdrawal unit (Detox) is in Prince George and it is the only detox centre north of Kamloops and Kelowna. Detox is not a jail. People can refer themselves to this facility voluntarily provided there are beds available. The length of stay can vary from a few days (for someone coming down from severe alcoholism) to a few weeks (for those battling benzodiazepines or opiate issues). [continues 650 words]
Dr. Gabor Mate, the well respected specialist on ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is once again making headlines. He has authored "Scattered Minds", "When The Body Says No", "Hold On To Your Kids", and "In The Realm Of Hungry Ghosts". Dr. Mate has dedicated over ten years of his life working as the staff physician at the Portland Hotel on Vancouver's downtown eastside. This hotel has become infamous as a harm reduction facility. Dr. Mate is of the opinion that whether or not you will become addicted to substances or process addictions later in life is more or less determined in your first three years on earth. He claims that a bad early childhood will in turn disrupt the brain's chemicals. The regulators of pain and pleasure concepts as well as lack of pleasure and difficulty finding motivation are directly associated with these chemicals (dopamine and endorphins). [continues 551 words]
Clifford A. Schaffer (Director, Schaffer Library of Drug Policy - Aqua Dulce, California sent both the editor and myself a letter after my last column. In this letter he states: "If violence is common" with cocaine use then perhaps Mr. Bertrand will explain why cocaine-related violence and crime was essentially unknown before cocaine was outlawed. It is correct as he says, the cocaine was sold over the counter at one time. There were no restrictions at all on cocaine. Cocaine was included in lots of common medicines, and even soda pop. Kids could buy it as easily as they can buy Aspirin today. There weren't even any labeling requirements so people didn't even know what they were taking." [continues 660 words]
Cocaine epidemics seem to occur every few generations. The first epidemic occurred at the end of the 19th century. In the 1970s and 80s, use of cocaine exploded when smokable cocaine (crack) hit the streets. The popularity and hardcore use/abuse of cocaine has remained strong even to this day. Headlines abound about movie stars entering the revolving doors of treatment centres or overdosing on the substance. The product originates from the coca plant. One acre of coca bushes will yield 1.5 to 2 kg of cocaine (Grinspoon & Bakalar, 1985). It takes approximately 250 kg of leaves to make 1 kg of cocaine and the refinement process often involves toxic substances like gasoline, kerosene and sulfuric acid. If the refining isn't done carefully, the resulting cocaine can contain many of these toxic chemicals (1990 Alain Labrousse). It is estimated that North America consumes 40 to 50 per cent of these products. [continues 839 words]
The causes of violent behavior in humans are often topics of research in psychology and sociology. Neurobiologist Jan Volavka emphasizes that for those purposes, "violent behavior is defined as overt and intentional physically aggressive behavior against another person." .Wikipedia We live in a world where violence abounds. Anger and rage are a phenomenon exhibited by individuals not capable of empathy. These individuals don't care who they harm. They don't care that the victim of the violence has friends, family, brothers, sisters, partners and children. When they beat someone it affects a lot of lives. The official and arguably the best bat in baseball history, the Lousiville Slugger was not manufactured as an instrument of destruction. The occipital lobe does not really resemble a baseball. The two should never meet and dire consequences occur if this rule is violated. [continues 695 words]
An impeccably dressed woman gets off the bus at Main and Hastings in Vancouver. She walks down Hastings Street toward her place of employment as a middle manager in a corporate office. Suddenly, as if drawn by an invisible magnetic force, she furtively disappears down a darkened alley and blends into a doorway. Suddenly the bright light of a crack pipe glows against the wall. This highly successful woman is addicted to crack cocaine. On the other side of town a prominent lawyer prepares to enter the courtroom. [continues 388 words]
There is a story about the fellow having a picnic near the banks of a swift flowing river. Suddenly his family function is disturbed by the cries of someone drowning. He rushes to the riverbank to see a young lady going down for the third time. He swims to her side, manages to hold her head above water and brings her to shore. Minutes later, while his wife is consoling the woman, the man hears another cry. Again he swims out to bring another person to shore. This time he barely makes it back when he sees someone else struggling in the murky waters. [continues 378 words]
Lunch with a colleague in Prince George led me to an interesting paper published by the B.C. Ministry of Health Services, entitled "Every Door is the Right Door" (May 2004). An opening quote in this document reads: "Dedicated to individuals, families and stakeholders who have made it clear to us that every door must be the right door. Wherever people seek help they will be treated respectfully and supported to access the services they need." (Honourable Susan Brice, Minister of State for Mental Health and Addiction Services) [continues 299 words]
