I am writing in response to two recent Post articles I have read regarding Mark Gatza, who was removed of his coaching responsibilities at St. Patrick's Catholic School due to a past drug violation. It is my belief that Anthony Scarfone, principal of St. Pat's, is being raked over the coals for just doing his job. I agree with the suggestion that Mark Gatza should apply for a pardon. In my opinion, Pardons Canada is much more qualified to review Gatza's record and grant a pardon if it is deserved (which contrary to Gatza's wife's opinion is much different than "hiding" the offence). [continues 195 words]
At a time when many organizations are pleading for volunteers, Mark Gatza has been told by the principal at his children's elementary school that his free help is no longer wanted. Four days into his position as co-coach of Burlington's St. Patrick's Pythons boys' basketball team, Gatza was informed by principal Anthony Scarfone that a criminal record check showed a conviction for a 1982 narcotics possession and, therefore, his services were no longer needed. "I just can't fathom it," the 42-year-old Gatza said Monday. "I have nothing to hide. I got caught smoking a joint 23 years ago. I guess I can't do anything at the school. [continues 945 words]
Halton Regional Police Service's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program will be the next topic of discussion on PeopleSpeak In A Place Called Halton. The TV Cogeco program, hosted by regional Chairman Joyce Savoline, will be broadcast on Wednesday (Dec. 15) at 7 p.m. in Burlington and Oakville and 5:30 p.m. in Halton Hills and Milton. Representatives from DARE will join Savoline to talk about the successful program that is taught to Grade 6 students throughout Halton Region. [continues 93 words]
Joins Canadian Team Offering Assistance It took a dare for Wendy Moraghan to finally get to do some overseas travel. That's DARE as in the police enforcement program Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The DARE constable with Halton Regional Police has been selected to be part of a team of six officers from across Ontario to represent the Canadian Training Team which went to the Philippines yesterday (Thursday). Halton police say it marks the first time that DARE International has sought outside assistance in training and certifying new DARE officers. Until now the Canadian Training Team, in existence since 1999, had only trained officers within Canada. [continues 567 words]
Four Burlington residents are among nine area people charged following a series of drug raids by multi-jurisdictional law enforcement agencies. Halton police say warrants executed in a trio of towns last Thursday morning, in Burlington, Oakville and Stoney Creek, resulted in the discovery of three suspected marijuana grow operations and more than $180,000 worth of drugs and cash being seized. More than 80 police officers from Halton, Hamilton, the Provincial Biker Enforcement Unit and the Provincial Asset Forfeiture Unit participated in the co-ordinated operation. [continues 262 words]
Burlington resident with multiple sclerosis asked to address International Association of Women Police Medical marijuana crusader Alison Myrden plans to speak at an upcoming police conference in Boston -- if she's able to cross the border. The local resident and multiple sclerosis sufferer is an outspoken proponent of the legalization of pot. She is one of a small number of people in Canada who have the legal right to smoke the drug to help ease the pain of their disease. Myrden has been invited to give her views at the 42nd Training Conference of the International Association of Women Police. [continues 225 words]
We applaud and support the efforts of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) of Halton and NRG/ Kingdom nightclub to provide information to young people about the reality of date-rape drugs. With the introduction of all-ages evenings at most clubs, the crowd that heads out to seek a little weekend night life is now younger than ever. Unfortunately, not all of those out enjoying the club scene are as street wise as they need to be. SAVIS is hoping to enlighten club patrons to the dangers of inadvertent drug use at the hands of strangers. [continues 274 words]
Eye-Opening Visit to Club Culture Reinforces Need to Reach Youth Lyndsay Daniel says the past weekend she spent at the NRG/Kingdom nightclub raising awareness of the dangers of date-rape drugs and sexual assault has reinforced the need to continue spreading the message. The education co-ordinator of Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton (SAVIS) helped set up an information booth inside the popular club Friday and Saturday evening. The booth was intended to remind hundreds of weekend party-goers to be cautious of their drinks possibly being spiked with potentially-fatal drugs. [continues 458 words]
Halton police arrested two people and called in the Children's Aid Society following a drug bust at a south-end townhouse complex. On Wednesday, just after 8:30 a.m., members of the Halton Regional Police Drug and Morality Bureau executed a search in a unit on New Street. Police say they recovered 103 marijuana plants in various stages of growth from two rooms in the basement. The street value of the plants is estimated at $20,600. Another $2,000 in growing equipment was also seized, say police. [continues 122 words]
Medical marijuana advocate Alison Myrden won a federal New Democratic Party nomination on her second try. The Burlington resident has accepted the NDP nomination for the Oakville riding. She recently lost the Burlington riding nomination to David Laird. Myrden has had chronic progressive multiple sclerosis since age 13 and chronic pain called Tic Douloureux. She has been a staunch patient advocate for medical marijuana use. "Until I started using marijuana as medicine, I was bound to my wheelchair," she noted. "Now, thanks to this wonderful plant, I have a much better quality of life. So much, in fact, that I can find the energy to run for Parliament and promote the interests of disabled Oakville residents and all Canadians." [continues 90 words]
Drug-impaired motorists will face stronger enforcement under legislation that has been hailed by Burlington's Liberal MP, but rapped by her political opponents. Police will have increased authority under the federal legislation tabled. Paddy Torsney welcomed her government's proposals. "I am very pleased with the government's response to the special committee's recommendation to resolve this issue by providing law enforcement officials with a framework to investigate and charge for drug-impaired driving," she said. "These amendments will make people think twice about getting behind the wheel of any vehicle while impaired. We will save lives." [continues 576 words]
Alison Myrden has battled disability for many years and now hopes to fight harder for those in similar circumstances. The staunch advocate of medical marijuana hopes to become the federal candidate for the New Democratic Party in Burlington riding. The NDP nomination meeting will be held March 25 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60. Improved health care and better support for persons with disabilities are key issues for Myrden, who has Multiple Sclerosis. The Burlington resident noted the maximum income for a single person with a disability is only $900 per month. [continues 219 words]
Two teenagers have been arrested and a total of four students suspended from a local Catholic high school after Halton police made arrests for drug possession. Two 15 year-old males, identified by police as students at Notre Dame Secondary School, have been charged with marijuana possession. Based on tips from the public, police say they conducted surveillance of Ireland Park -- located just south of the school property -- with plainclothes and uniformed Burlington officers. According to police several students were observed allegedly smoking marijuana around 11 a.m. Tuesday. [continues 214 words]
Halton police say an infant was living in a home where they believe an illegal marijuana growing operation was set up. Officers with Halton's Drug and Morality unit executed search warrants last week at two homes on Fothergill Boulevard in the city's east end. Police say a married couple and their one-year-old child were living in both houses. Officers say one of the homes contained marijuana plants and hydroponic growing equipment. While executing the raid, police seized 234 marijuana plants, with an estimated value of $234,000, and about $2,500 in cash. [continues 101 words]
I think you are grossly exaggerating the danger posed by cannabis grow operations. (the Post, Jan. 21). Linking the production of cannabis with organized crime and a "litany of other societal problems including drug trafficking, guns, assaults and murder" is awfully specious. No doubt, the huge profits are attractive to organized criminals, but the claim that they are responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a significant number of the hundreds-of-thousands of grow operations across the country is very dubious. It certainly isn't the situation reported by Forbes magazine in its recent profile of the Canadian cannabis industry. [continues 339 words]
The fact the former Molson Brewery in Barrie has been used as a "marijuana factory" for at least a year -- right under the eyes (noses) of civic officials and police -- may seem humorous at first glance, but it is no laughing matter. A lawyer representing six of the men charged in connection with Canada's largest indoor pot bust is dead wrong when he says his clients don't belong in jail and the public finds the whole matter "amusing". Regardless of your views on the proposed relaxation of marijuana laws in Canada, illegal grow houses are a very serious problem for a number of reasons. [continues 241 words]
Drugs were found hidden in the boardroom of the Halton District School Board's administrative building in Burlington -- but not to worry, it was a specially-trained dog that uncovered the illicit item during a demonstration. Drug dog Dax and his handler, Chris Sharpe of the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) out of Pearson Airport in Toronto, attended a recent school board meeting. They were there to show trustees and residents in the audience how a drug dog is trained and makes its way around a potential drug scene. [continues 504 words]
It's late, perhaps really late, and the friend who drove you and your buddies to a party is too drunk or too high, and can't get behind the wheel to take you home. Or you've found yourself in a tough bind and you need help or guidance getting out of it. What do you do? Halton Region's health department has a unique idea that simply requires a young person's trust in a peer. Called the "phone me card," it's the size of a regular business card that you give to someone you respect -- a parent, aunt, uncle or older sibling - -- who writes in their name and phone number on the back. [continues 354 words]
Fourteen Nelson High School students and two others are facing drug charges and school suspensions following a drug sweep by Halton police last week in the Shoreacres Creek area. Police say officers visited multiple areas along the creek's ravine in the New Street/Belvenia Road area Thursday morning after receiving information that drug activity was occurring there. During a two-hour period, officers arrested 16 youths and charged each of them with possession of a controlled substance. Police say the substance was marijuana. [continues 154 words]
I will start out by stating that there is one thing I do agree with in Tim Whitnell's column (Sept. 19, The Post); no one should drive under the influence of anything -- period. Not alcohol, marijuana, speed, over-the-counter prescription drugs that alter your alertness, cocaine, etc. It's just wrong and shouldn't be tolerated. But you cannot put the blame squarely on cannabis. People have been drinking and driving for years, but they haven't stopped selling alcohol in government-run liquor stores. [continues 192 words]
People With Valid Medical Exemption Remain Free From Criminal Prosecution Four months ago, I wrote a column asking whether simple possession of marijuana was legal in Canada. It was a valid question then. After all, the Liberal government in Ottawa had introduced legislation to decriminalize possession of less than 15 grams of the stuff and two judges of the Superior Court of Justice here in Ontario had gone one step further and struck down the possession law altogether. Just this past week, however, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned those decisions and possession of marijuana again became a crime. [continues 519 words]
Halton's DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program has been bugged. Last week, during the monthly Halton Regional Police Services Board meeting, a 2003 VW Beetle -- decked out in full DARE regalia -- was officially unveiled. Donated by Oakville Volkswagen president/owner Mark Seibert, the silver bug is already proving to be a hit with children. "It's been in use for two weeks now and it's been an excellent ice-breaker for the kids," said Const. Derrick Marshall, who oversees the program in Oakville and has already received great feedback from students. [continues 253 words]
Tim Whitnell (The Post, Sept. 19) decries the dangers of illegal marijuana grow operations without a thought to the root of the problem. Yet, he also briefly mentioned the federal grow operation in Flin Flon, Manitoba. In the government-sponsored grow, things were different. No electricity was stolen. The neighbours did not have to fear for their safety. Licensed contractors built the operation, so the risk of fire was minimal. No criminal made a dime off of the place, and nobody got shot over the profits. [continues 67 words]
The federal government's efforts to decriminalize marijuana is no toke-n gesture. Bill C-38, the Cannabis Reform Bill, will be introduced in Parliament in the next few weeks. The idea of possibly not charging individuals criminally for possessing small amounts of pot could go up in smoke in the House of Commons. The Liberals seem, to me, to be sending out conflicting smoke signals. If passed, the bill would introduce softer penalties for possessing small amounts of the drug and increase penalties for growing operations. [continues 454 words]
While we are fortunate to live in a country that respects and promotes human rights, other countries may have a different interpretation of those rights. Recent high-profile cases of Canadians arrested abroad highlight the need to be fully informed of the implications of travelling with dual citizenship. Citizenship laws are complicated and vary from country to country. If you have dual citizenship and travel under another passport, you must be aware that if you encounter problems, Canadian authorities may not be able to assist you. Canadian officials may have difficulty acting on your behalf because you are not a Canadian citizen in the eyes of local authorities. [continues 261 words]
Revamped Safety Program Focuses On Removing Drugs, Weapons From Halton's Public And Catholic Boards Halton students considering bringing drugs, guns or explosives to high school may want to rethink their plan or risk facing the dog days of school. The region's public and Catholic boards, in conjunction with Halton Regional Police, are reinstating a program to use trained detector dogs to search high schools for specific dangerous or illegal items. The Safe School Canine Initiative, which begins next week with the 2003-04 school year, is a more comprehensive hybrid of the earlier Project Hall Walk. The latter program began in Halton in 1997 but was discontinued and put under review in 2000. [continues 805 words]
Is possession of marijuana now legal in Canada? It is quite understandable if you are unsure of the answer to that question. The federal government in Ottawa introduced legislation to decriminalize possession of less than 15 grams of the stuff. But the courts in Ontario have gone one step further and struck down the possession law altogether. So is it legal to possess marijuana right now? Unfortunately the best answer I can give right away is 'maybe'. Here's why. On July 31, 2000, the Ontario Court of Appeal declared in a case called Parker that the law against possession of marijuana was invalid. This declaration of invalidity was however suspended for a period of 12 months to allow Parliament an opportunity to re-enact that law with appropriate provision for making marijuana available for medical reasons. Parker suffered from a very severe form of epilepsy. He had attacked the law on the basis that it did not permit him to use marijuana to control this disease. [continues 542 words]
Proposed Federal Legislation Needs Stronger Anti-Drug Message: Algar The federal government's proposed changes to marijuana legislation through the Cannabis Reform Bill represent steps in the right direction, says Ean Algar, Halton's police chief. But the region's top cop has some serious concerns about aspects of the proposed legislation. "I like some of the things the government put forward but I'd like to see that it all comes together where the message is it isn't good to take drugs, drugs are still bad," Algar said. [continues 649 words]
Most clients of Halton Region's needle exchange program using muscle-enhancing drugs: report Two-thirds of last year's clients with Halton Region's relatively new needle exchange program were steroid takers, not intravenous street drug users. That seemingly unbalanced statistic was matched by the fact that two-thirds of the program's 202 clients ended up at Burlington's all-day health clinic. A report released to Halton Region's health and social services committee last week showed 6,899 needles were collected and 9,320 needles handed out between September 2001 and September 2002 -- the first year the free program operated full time. [continues 838 words]
Three Separate Incidents Have Authorities Issuing Caution About GHB Use Halton Regional Police have issued a caution to the public after ambulances were called to three different locations in Burlington to aid people suffering from drug overdoses. In each case police say the rave or 'club drug' Gamma-hydroxybutyrio acid, better known as GHB, was the culprit. Members of Halton police's Drug and Morality Bureau say two of the incidents occurred last Saturday. They involved a 30-year-old male at a local bar and a female at a house. [continues 206 words]
Reading Mr. Young's recent rambling letter regarding the decriminalization of marijuana possession (the Post, Dec. 27 ) left me a little puzzled. I'm not sure if this was a public service health message or, probably more accurately, a thinly-veiled attack on both Paddy Torsney and Bonnie Brown's Liberal platform. I find it quite ironic that a former member of the Conservative party is able to dispense such sage health advice to the public; I'm sure the residents of Walkerton can take solace in the Tory parties renewed commitment to the health and well being of the general public. [continues 194 words]
Our committee recommended first and foremost that the possession of marijuana remain illegal and that trafficking remain a crime. People who are caught with small amounts of cannabis, would, we felt, think twice if they had to pay a substantial fine, and police officers would rather write a ticket rather than charge someone. Committee members don't want people to use substances like marijuana. There are health risks. Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, after tabling the special committee report titled Working Together to Redefine Canada's Drug Strategy [continues 273 words]
Drug dealers across Canada are cheering quietly and preparing to expand their operations. Incredibly, a parliamentary committee in Ottawa, chaired by Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, has recommended that possession of 30-50 joints of marijuana become a ticketing offence, like speeding. Paddy, who admits she has smoked marijuana in the past, joked with the media saying it depends how thick you roll the joints. This foolish idea would undoubtedly widely expand use of this narcotic, putting more drugs into the hands of children and teens. [continues 437 words]
Algar Responds To Commons Report Potentially looser laws on marijuana possession have received lukewarm support locally, but Halton's police chief has expressed concern youths are getting a mixed message about drug use. A Commons committee, chaired by Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, recommended recently that Canadians should be allowed to grow and carry about 30 grams of marijuana for personal use at the risk of only a ticket and fine, not a criminal record. Marijuana would remain an illegal substance and trafficking in any amount would still be a crime. [continues 695 words]
Last week, I tabled in the House of Commons the report of the special committee on non-medical use of drugs entitled Working Together to Redefine Canada's Drug Strategy. This report is the culmination of 18 months of work by MPs from all political parties. After listening to Canadians, hearing from experts in Canada and around the world, we made 41 recommendations that will improve the health of Canadians and, we think, have less of a toll on our families, our communities and our finances. [continues 504 words]
Green Sweep 3 A Success "Green Sweep 3" might sound like a movie sequel but to Halton Regional Police it's another installment in the ongoing battle against prolific -- and potentially dangerous ---marijuana growing operations. Last week officers raided three homes, one in Burlington, two in Oakville. Together with an Oakville house shut down on Nov. 6, police seized 2,368 marijuana plants worth $2.4 million, plus $50,000 of growing equipment. According to Deputy Chief Gary Crowell, such illegal operations "plague communities" and present "a serious threat to public safety." [continues 742 words]
Although they've shut down a significant number of marijuana grow houses in Halton over the past year, police are convinced there are still many indoor drug-growing labs operating in Halton's residential neighbourhoods. And they're continuing to ask for the public's help in identifying them. "We did operation Green Sweep 1 and Green Sweep 2 so now they're working on Green Sweep 3," Sgt. Val Hay of Halton police said. "So we're just trying to get some more people to call in with information." [continues 336 words]
Young people are in no different position than adults when it comes to police searches. In fact, in some circumstances, such as searches in schools, youths may have fewer rights than adults. The school year has just started, so let's take a look at this. The Supreme Court of Canada considered the issue in a case from Nova Scotia where a vice-principal had heard from students that a 13-year-old was selling drugs in the school and would be carrying drugs at a school dance. The V-P called the RCMP to attend and then asked the accused to accompany him to his office. He then questioned the boy until a police officer arrived. The officer advised the boy the V-P was going to search him. A plastic bag containing a small amount of marijuana was found and the boy was charged with possession. [continues 465 words]
Bravo to David Harris for his Sept. 18 Burlington Post column Patients exempt from law for marijuana possession still can't make legal buys. Nations around the world (including nine states in the U.S.) have made marijuana legal for medical use, but none provide a safe and legal method of distribution. The apparent impotence of legislators to step up and establish such a system is puzzling. Everyone agrees, from the Canadian Senate committee to the voters themselves, that medical marijuana must be made available to suffering patients who need it. So what are they waiting for? (By e-mail) [end]
It has been known for centuries that, in addition to its intoxicating or psychoactive effect, marijuana has medicinal value. Like many other herbs, it has been used in Asian and Middle Eastern countries for at least 2,600 years for medicinal purposes. It first appeared in Western medicine in AD 60 and was widely used for a variety of ailments, including muscle spasms, until the19th century. Despite this, marijuana use has been banned in Canada throughout most of the last century and anyone caught in possession of it faced criminal sanctions. [continues 519 words]
Report Shows That Participants Are Five Times Less Likely To Smoke Police officers who teach the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program have long relied on anecdotal evidence to measure its success. Now a new study helps prove what they've always believed. True, the report by the Washington-based Journal of the National Medical Association (NMA) focuses only on smoking, but its results still bolster the view that DARE in fact does have a positive impact on its young participants. [continues 574 words]
I hope this column finds you enjoying a wonderful summer. For me, it has been a real pleasure to spend even more time in Burlington. As chair of the House of Commons Special Committee on the Non-medical Use of Drugs, I spent a good part of the spring session of parliament listening to experts and citizens from across Canada talk about the drug scene in their community and their ideas for improvements to Canada's drug strategy. Our work included four days of meetings in the U.S. and six days of meeting with officials in Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. To say the least, it has been eye opening. [continues 436 words]
With summer here, so are bush parties and raves. Officials are raising the warning flag about the dangers for young people who take part in them. Drugs like ecstasy tend to be more available, and there are large crowds, potentially criminals and gangs, and a greater risk of physical or sexual assault. A joint warning has been issued by Halton Regional Police, the Halton Regional Health Department, and both the Halton public and Catholic school boards. Halton's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Bob Nosal, said the hope is to tell the community about the risks and dangers. [continues 222 words]
Nearly $100-M in drugs, assets seized by police in joint operation spanning three provinces A 34-year-old Burlington man is among 17 people charged after police this week dismantled four alleged organized criminal networks in Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. Police services in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, in addition to various Canadian and U.S. agencies, report seizing almost $100-million worth of illegal drugs and more than $8-million in assets Tuesday in simultaneous searches across the three provinces. [continues 159 words]
Community Support May Be Sought Losing school board funding shouldn't sound the immediate death knell of three popular programs for Halton students. However, it likely means organizers of those programs will have to scramble to make up the difference or perhaps scale back what is offered in schools. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) initiative for Grade 6s, and s well as the Celebrating Literacy and the Food For Thought snack and breakfast programs for elementary schools are all poised to lose significant funding. [continues 653 words]
Majority Of Students Surveyed Admit Recent Use Of Illegal Drugs A recent special drug education workshop at Halton's regional headquarters had one clear objective: solidify ways that police, educators and parents can support each other so they can, in turn, provide support for children and adolescents. Given the often startling statistics about illegal drug use among young people, this concerted effort was well received for a number of reasons by those taking part. "This is an issue that touches all of us in our professional lives and on a personal level," said Halton Regional Police Insp. Signy Pittman, who was clear it's imperative that everyone involved understand their roles considering the high stakes. [continues 614 words]
The apparent proliferation of residential marijuana grow houses in Halton should give residents cause for alarm on a couple of fronts. Neighbours of homes set up for this illicit activity face a threat to their personal safety brought on by having a criminal element operating next door. Equally disturbing is the potential for a residential house fire caused by hydro bypassing techniques enlisted by grow house operators. That's why it was encouraging to hear how a citizen helped Halton police shut down yet another marijuana grow house operation in Burlington this week. [continues 241 words]
Already fighting a battle with multiple sclerosis, Alison Myrden says she's tired of having to battle Health Canada, too. The Burlington resident, and federal medical marijuana exemptee, says the government is dragging its heels when it comes to producing a reliable, affordable source of marijuana for chronic pain sufferers. Since 1999, almost 700 Canadians have been given exemptions to possess medical marijuana. "I am still buying my medicine from the street; I am still spending up to $1,200 every month," she said. "Nothing has changed, the government still doesn't have a source for me." [continues 838 words]
Re: Growing marijuana has become big business in Ontario where grow house arrests are on the rise (Apr. 3, The Post) Why do governments ban certain drugs? It can't be to protect users because banning a drug always leads to more deaths amongst users, not fewer. My wife and I became well acquainted with that aspect of government policy when we lost our 19-year-old son to street heroin in 1993. It can't be to reduce the crime associated with drugs because banning a drug always gives rise to more crime than when the drug is legally available. [continues 255 words]
I seldom saw a charge of cultivating narcotics when I started practicing law 23 years ago. There were times when police found a marijuana plant or two growing in a suspect's home, but this was usually being grown for the person's own use. Occasionally, more enterprising drug dealers would grow marijuana for commercial purposes. Such activity was limited, however, by several factors. Full-sized marijuana plants got too big for anyone to hide many of them inside. The risk of detection and our Canadian weather discouraged all but the most determined drug dealers from outside cultivation. [continues 559 words]
