For those struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues living in alternative housing projects, an inability to access the resources required to get their lives on track can create a vicious cycle that is difficult to escape. Getting off the streets may be the first tiny step, but it won't take you very far if you can't get across the city for counselling sessions. Or worse yet, you make the effort only to find they aren't helping and you have to go somewhere else. [continues 636 words]
Groups Have To Continue To Work Together At It It must have seemed like deja vu all over again for some of those who attended a community conversation cafe Tuesday in the city to discuss the problems of drug use, drug dealers and prostitution in the downtown area. While it was a different part of the downtown this time around - about a block or so north -- the conversation centred around the same general problems that were associated with Germain Park until, ultimately, a decision was made to flatten the park. [continues 436 words]
With the addition of new beds, staff and a program designed to help drug- and alcohol-addicted youth, the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission hopes to offer addicted youths another resource for recovery. The 2006 provincial budget provided AADAC with $14 million to put towards 20 new beds for Grande Prairie, Red Deer, Picture Butte, Edmonton and Calgary. Grande Prairie-area AADAC supervisor Barb Robbins said of the 20 new beds, Grande Prairie will be receiving four along with financial help to help hire more staff. [continues 478 words]
There Is A Real Dollar Value Attached To Our Woes The cost of addictions in our society is evident in our everyday lives. We see families torn asunder by helpless dependency on everything from alcohol to drugs to gambling or even pornography. We witness the fallout, we may even experience the addictions ourselves; it is our collective "dirty little secret" that we all share but fail to really deal with because of the stigma attached to the admission. We mostly all agree that the price of addiction is high, but a new report attempts to attach an actual dollar figure to the problem. [continues 448 words]
City's Anti-Gang Program May Be Symbolic But It's A Start Biker gang members are no longer welcome in the City of Grande Prairie. The truth is, they never were, but in the past the city was hardpressed to do much about it but sit back and watch as bikers cruised in and around our city. On at least two occasions in recent memory, biker runs have been held in the area and, short of giving a few of the bikers citations for traffic violations, the bikers pretty much had their run of the city - -- as long as they stayed out of trouble. [continues 485 words]
The suspect behind a massive drug bust in Beaverlodge last month won't be charged by police after all, but it's for a good reason. The man died the day after the arrest. On Feb. 10, Beaverlodge RCMP seized 450 marijuana plants in a strange set of circumstances. Police received a gun complaint at a residence that turned out to be fake. But when police investigated the complaint they become suspicious, obtained a search warrant and raided the home later that day, finding the drugs, guns and stolen property. No charges were ever laid. RCMP confirmed on Monday their suspect ended up dying of natural causes the day after the search. No names or other circumstances are being released. RCMP are only saying the suspect was 58-years-old. [end]
Karen Schaffer remembers crying one night with her husband Simon when they felt they had to put down their dog, a black Labrador. The dog had injured itself, pulling several muscles and could barely walk. "I remember we sat there and cried because she was suffering," she says, adding they considered having the dog euthanised. But, before they did, Schaffer made a trip into Edmonton and stumbled across something interesting in a Whyte Avenue store. Months later, the Schaffer's dog is alive and well and Karen and Simon were in Grande Prairie Monday night trying to promote the product they feel saved their dog and changed their own lives. [continues 485 words]
While the national parties are drum beating about gun violence as the biggest crime threat to Canada, it's drugs that are the worry in the Peace region. Drugs have led to major social problems in Grande Prairie's downtown core, and the local courthouse sees a veritable revolving door of drug-related charges. Federal politicians need to do more to help communities rid themselves of the drug problem, says Independent candidate Bill Given. Not only are more police needed but more resources need to be directed to social strategies. [continues 453 words]
The Grande Prairie Catholic School District is dipping into its wallet to help keep its students away from drugs. The school board has approved a $1,500 donation to the Grande Prairie RCMP's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program to help students learn how to make healthy decisions. "One of our roles as a school board is to educate our kids academically, but we should also educate our kids in the real world," said vice-chairman Ralph Wohlgemuth at last week's regular board meeting. [continues 211 words]
When people walk into HIV North looking for a clean needle, they could be experiencing a whole gamut of emotions, from being embarrassed, ashamed or in a hurry to go shoot up, says HIV North Society's outreach co-ordinator. "Or they'll come in and say 'Oh I've been slipping' or 'I've been bad'," Melody Parker said. "I just say 'You know what, it's a good thing that you're coming in here and getting clean needles. I try to make it seem positive (so they don't) feel so down on themselves. I let them know right away I'm not judging them. That's not what I'm here to do. That's not what I'm about." [continues 681 words]
Seeing himself sprawled out and writhing on a Vancouver street, screaming incoherently at anyone who happened to pass him by, still gets Randy Miller choked up. Miller knows he is lucky to be alive. He realizes having to watch over and over again how his drug addiction destroyed the person he could have been is a small price to pay if it saves one young person's life. And his message in assisting with a longtime, groundbreaking project initiated by Vancouver law enforcement to educate youth on the consequences of becoming involved with drugs is clear. [continues 800 words]
Local Man Shares His Story About Drug Addiction (Editor's note) - Crystal meth is a drug that is quickly spreading across Canada, with more and more youth using it as their drug of choice. This week is National Addictions Awareness Week. Herald-Tribune reporter Fiona Isaacson recently met with a mother and son who know first-hand the effects of crystal meth and say that more resources are needed to deal with the growing problem, even in Grande Prairie. They have asked to remain anonymous. [continues 883 words]
As she listened to a presentation on the dangers of drug abuse from a man who has witnessed it first hand, it was all Pam could do not to break down. While many who attended Sgt. Ian Sanderson's session on drug trends Wednesday afternoon were there on behalf of community organizations, Pam was there out of fear the drug scene could tear her family apart. "I'm just worried about my son's behaviour. He just turned 16 and I would like to think he isn't doing drugs, but you never know. I think it's important to educate myself," said the local mom of two who didn't want her last name used. [continues 769 words]
With both trafficking and consumption of illicit drugs on the rise, the RCMP wants to help members of the community recognize the signs. Information sessions on the current drug trends will be held today and Wednesday in conjunction with National Addictions Awareness Week. RCMP Sgt. Ian Sanderson will talk about the effects of drugs, signs and symptoms of use, safety concerns when dealing with a user and what communities can do to mobilize and address drug issues. As well, the sessions will focus on the current status of legislation relating to marijuana, chemical or "club" drugs and methamphetamine. [continues 75 words]
In a school district already committed to encouraging students to adopt healthy lifestyles, Grande Prairie Public school board chairman John Lehners says educators have an "obligation" to help students remain drug-free. As illegal drug activities and addictions continue to rise in communities across the country, the school board is hoping to urge the provincial government to take steps to keep kids on the right path. "This is one of the hot button topics for the government. For us, our role is not just teaching curriculum. It's about dealing with the issues and living healthy," said Lehners following Tuesday's regular public school board meeting. [continues 386 words]
Re: Avenue has new owners, Nov. 1 Herald-Tribune: This is a good news story for the downtown area, however, it doesn't solve the problem of the drug abuse in this city. The people who frequented the Park Hotel and Germaine Park will only move somewhere else. Grande Prairie needs to take a hard, long look at the drug problem we have and instead of closing things down and moving people around, do something positive. We, as a community, pride ourselves on how we are great volunteers, etc. We now need to take care of our community members who - God forbid - got hooked on these horrible drugs. I don't have the answer or the solution but we need to get our heads out of the sand and deal with this issue and soon, before Grande Prairie becomes a place in which people are scared to live. Grande Prairie [end]
With increasing numbers of people admitting they have an addiction and seeking help, the pressures are being felt on local services. Members of the community voiced their concerns to the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) board last week. The board was in Grande Prairie Thursday and Friday to gather feedback from the community and develop policies and a direction for the future. Many community groups and schools made presentations to the board including the Grande Prairie Composite high school, mental health services, the Cool-Aid society, Grande Prairie Regional College and mental health services. [continues 530 words]
While governments on all levels struggle with the question of what to do about the current crystal-meth/crack cocaine epidemic, some communities have actually begun to address this plague with effective and innovative community-based action. But Grande Prairie city council's decision to level Germain Park (and thereby rid us of the problem?) must stand alone in its stark simplicity. Perhaps his worship Mayor Ayling should get in touch with his counterpart in New York City and apprise him of the news that all he has to do to rid New York of its conspicuous drug and alcohol abuse is to whack down the trees in Central Park and pave it. [continues 200 words]
Germaine's Demolition Won't Curb Problems, Say Critics Tearing down Germaine Park will do little to curb drug activity in the downtown, says the executive director of the HIV North Society. As the park's direct neighbour, executive director Brenda Moore sees the social and criminal problems that occur there on a daily basis, but she believes turning the park into a bare lot and fencing it off will only just move the problem on to downtown streets. "The businesspeople think it's going to be off the block; I don't necessarily think it is going to be off the block," said Moore. [continues 890 words]
While RCMP say most of the crystal meth in Grande Prairie is brought in, they still see a benefit in educating businesses to monitor the sale of ingredients used to manufacture it. "I don't know if it will have a big impact or not, because we have no knowledge of people making their own methamphetamines in our area, but if someone was doing that then yes, it will have an impact because they won't have the raw materials," said Const. Scott Hagarty of the Grande Prairie RCMP community policing unit. [continues 402 words]
Frustrated with lives going down the drain, Ald. Bill Given wants the supply of crystal meth ingredients stopped in Grande Prairie. A strategy, said Given, needs to be created that would ask stores to monitor sales of potential methamphetamine ingredients and report anything suspicious to the police. Restricting sales of ingredients could be one part of blocking crystal meth from getting into people's hands, said Given at Tuesday's protective services committee meeting. "It certainly won't address the entire issue of crystal meth, but it is a starting point and I believe by taking small chunks of the problem and addressing them that we can have a greater impact on the overall issue." [continues 349 words]
Escalating drug activity in Grande Prairie could be responsible for more weapons being used in bar fights, say RCMP. Spokesman Cpl. Brent Mundle said cops are seeing an increase in the numbers of weapons on the streets - weapons like knives, bear spray, firearms, or homemade weapons. Most of it can be attributed back to the drug trade. "A number of the people we're dealing with in these situations where we're finding weapons of that nature are involved to some degree in the drug trade. [continues 544 words]
The whole subject of gangs and drugs angers me a lot. Being a mother of small children, you have to wonder how bad it is going to be when my children are older. Drug penalties need to be much steeper and worse than a slap on the wrist, as should violence charges. I also think there should be absolutely zero tolerance for any kind of criminal gang activity. There are not enough police in Grande Prairie. In fact, I hear people make jokes on a regular basis about the lack of police enforcement and how you can get away with darn near anything here. We need more police and more stiff penalties for polluting our quality of life. Doesn't any one else seem to be concerned about this? Grande Prairie [end]
Businesses in Grande Prairie may be unknowingly fuelling organized crime in the city by not being aware of money laundering and how to spot it, says a specialized RCMP section launching an awareness program. The RCMP K Division's Integrated Proceeds of Crime section will be in Grande Prairie and surrounding areas making presentations July 11-15. "The major financial institutions like the banks, they're regulated to have people to run compliance and make sure laws are being followed and what to look for, whereas car dealerships, jewelry stores, high retail business or even small retail business, they don't have the training. So we're spreading the word of what to watch for," said Cpl. Clayton Wilbern of IPOC. [continues 421 words]
And Grande Prairie's Got Its Share Of Players A Criminal Intelligence Service (CIS) report issued this week has some dark news for law-abiding citizens of rural Alberta. According to the report, increased pressure on gangs in Edmonton is forcing criminal organizations that deal drugs to expand into rural areas. Some years ago, many Grande Prairie residents were shocked to learn that high-profile biker gangs such as the Hells Angels were active in our city and region. A show of force and solidarity in the form of a 'run' to Grande Prairie several years ago emphasized that, and stories of the Angels' exploits, including real estate purchases, have been common here ever since. [continues 352 words]
Police are worried after a drug bust alerted them to the emergence of a new drug in the city. During a May 25 bust at a north-side home, RCMP seized around four litres of GHB, a drug that has been associated with date rapes. Commonly referred to as "G" or "Liquid Ecstasy," its normally considered a "club drug" as it is similar to drugs, like ecstasy, that are often found in the rave scene. But GHB can cause even more concern than many of the other "club drugs," said Grande Prairie RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Brent Mundle. [continues 258 words]
We may sometimes disregard them, faulting them for ending up on the street because of drug or alcohol addiction, but the local addictions centre says people need to remember anyone can just as easily become addicted and end up homeless. Vi Meck, an outpatient addictions counsellor at the Northern Addictions Centre, has worked one on one with people who are homeless and have addiction problems, whether it be drugs, alcohol or gambling. People need to have a better understanding of what addictions are about, she says. [continues 333 words]
As the number of youth using the emergency youth shelter continues to grow, there needs to be more services to deal with their needs, says Sunrise House general manager Kim Fenton. Since opening in October 2003, the emergency shelter has accommodated 165 youth between the ages of 12 and 17 for a total of 1,090 bed nights. The shelter will take kids who are high or stoned, but they're closely monitored and the hospital or AADAC resources will be accessed, if needed. [continues 350 words]
A proposed group home for addicts should find somewhere else to go besides a South Patterson neighbourhood, says a nearby resident. The planned addictions recovery centre along 99 Street and 73 Avenue could harm the neighbourhood by bringing in people who might fall off the wagon and find ways to support their habit, said Debbie Ozmun. "We've lived in this neighbourhood for just about 11 years now and it's a neighbourhood where we know our neighbours. It's been good so far with thefts and stuff like that. We all kind of watch. It's not that I'm prejudiced against these people, I give them credit for trying to better themselves, but there are going to be guys who will fall, and whether it's falling to get their first hit or falling because it's their first payday." [continues 438 words]
It's the flip side of drugs many people don't get to see - addicts so strung out they can't even stand to be in their own skin. Retired Detective Steve Walton said 'coke bugs' is a sensation that drives many users to pick and tear away their flesh. "They believe they have bugs crawling under their skin," said Walton who knew of a woman who tore off most of her face as a result. "With her mouth closed you could see teeth because she ripped all of her skin away." [continues 670 words]
Recovering Addict Says Forced Rehab Won't Work A local recovering drug addict says he wasn't ready to break free until he made the decision himself to get help. "You can only help people that are willing to help themselves. That's the only way it can work. Because if you want it bad enough it will work," said John Senenko. Senenko, 29, first began using drugs at age seven. It started with some marijuana, supplied by some older cousins, but progressed to cocaine, heroine, crystal meth - basically anything that he could get his hands on to get high. He used to take heroine to calm down so he could sleep. [continues 609 words]
Street knowledge is vital in a hospital emergency room when helping substance abusers said the program manager of Edmonton's Streetworks. Marliss Taylor spoke about bridging the gap between the hospital and the street at the sixth annual Alberta Harm Reduction Conference held in Grande Prairie last week. Streetworks addresses the issue of HIV among injection drug users and sex-trade workers. Taylor, a registered nurse, said the standard emergency room response won't work for a substance abuser. Addictions are not logical, Taylor said, but she added "an extra five minutes makes a huge difference." [continues 636 words]
It's not about pamphlets, or the colour of your poster - it's about falling in love with your audience and "meeting people where they're at," said the keynote speaker at the sixth annual Alberta Harm Reduction Conference. Francois Lagarde spoke to health care professionals, social workers, service providers, volunteers and students about how they can get their harm reduction message out at the Grande Prairie Inn on Wednesday. Lagarde, a social marketing and communications consultant from Montreal, said it's about really understanding your audience's perspective. [continues 532 words]
Basic tenet of recovery is a sincere will to be healed In principal, many in our society applaud the moves made by legislators that at least attempt to deal with the growing problem of violent youth crime. The perception, and this is based at least partially on accurate data, is that drugs and alcohol are a major contributor to violent youth crime, whether that means crimes are committed to support a habit or are committed while under the influence of either. [continues 390 words]
Jumping On RCMP Killings To Push Agendas Is In Very Bad Taste As the country continues to come to grips with the biggest massacre of RCMP officers since the Red River Rebellion, there are those who have chosen to jump on the case as a means of promoting political mantras. The fact of the matter is, that no matter what side of these various issues you come down on, the timing is all wrong. It started quickly Thursday evening and on through the weekend as radio talk shows and editorialists drew quick and sketchy parallels from the case to contemporary political issues. [continues 342 words]
The Grande Prairie RCMP detachment is mourning the loss of four members of its extended family today. Flags are at half mast and the building is quiet as officers try to come to grips with what unfolded Thursday on an acreage near Rochfort Bridge. "There's been a lot of sadness and sorrow and disbelief that so many of our officers were killed at one time," said an emotional Cpl. Brent Mundle of the Grande Prairie RCMP. Four RCMP officers were killed when gunfire erupted while officers executed a search warrant for stolen property and a marijuana grow operation. The suspect was also found dead. [continues 247 words]
CALGARY (CP) - The deaths of four RCMP officers may be what it finally takes to get the Canadian public to take the dangers of marijuana grow operations seriously, a Calgary police officer said Thursday. "There is some apathy out there, and unfortunately maybe it takes incidents like this to wake people up," said Staff Sgt. Birnie Smith of the Southern Alberta Marijuana Investigative Team. "It's A Danger to Everyone." The officers were gunned down when they surprised a man during a raid on a farmhouse near Rochfort Bridge, Alta. [continues 278 words]
ROCHFORT BRIDGE - His voice tight with grim self-control, Alberta's commanding RCMP officer groped for a way Thursday to describe a catastrophic drug raid that left four young officers lying dead on a farm. "I'm told you have to go back to about 1885 in RCMP history and the Northwest Rebellion to have a loss of this magnitude," said assistant commissioner Bill Sweeney. "It's devastating. We're all in terrible shock and mourning." One of the dead officers had been on the job for only two weeks, said published reports. Another was a 33-year-old constable who has been working in the area for almost four years. [continues 496 words]
When Officers Pay the Ultimate Price, It's Line of Duty, But Police officers, particularly RCMP, are a unique breed. Recognized as among the very best police forces in the world, its history is proud and storied. If you talk to an RCMP officer about what it means to serve with the force, one immediately senses unmistakable pride, and a sense of duty: They know they've been entrusted with an almost-sacred task and they approach their job that way each and every day. [continues 343 words]
A mother of a troubled teen says parents need to have more say when it comes to helping their drug-addicted children, while the local addictions centre says research shows forced treatment doesn't necessarily improve someone's motivation to get off drugs. MLA Mary Anne Jablonski said last week parents should be allowed to put their drug-addicted teenagers in treatment facilities even if it's against the child's wishes. The Conservative Red Deer North MLA said she will present a private member's bill later this year that would give parents that right. [continues 578 words]
The Peace Wapiti School Board is one step closer to a provincial pilot program designed to teach students of all ages the dangers of drug use. Last fall, the Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) proposed a provincial drug awareness project that would include facilitation from AADAC to address issues during the current school year as well as into the future. As one of 12 boards in the province potentially expressing an interest in the endeavor, Peace Wapiti has submitted a formal application with an eye on picking up where the current RCMP DARE (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) program leaves off. [continues 227 words]
Clandestine meth labs are an ever-increasing danger to firefighters. The toxicity of chemicals used is often high and pose the risk of explosions, especially if the makers don't know what they're doing. "The combinations they're putting together can be very toxic, very volatile if the cook is not very experienced or just learning," said Cpl. Kate Anderson, the RCMP chemical diversion co-ordinator for the province. "They say one in every six labs is identified by the fire department because of a fire or an explosion. Chances are, they're going to be the first ones to identify the lab." [continues 415 words]
Along with a candy cane, RCMP handed out a 24-hour suspension to a driver who apparently took a toke before driving through a checkstop Wednesday. Police noticed the odour of marijuana when the individual rolled down his window after being stopped at the annual Candy Cane Checkstop on 100 Street on Wednesday afternoon. Cpl. Brent Mundle of the Grande Prairie RCMP said it is rare they come across a violation during the well-advertised campaign. "The intention of this isn't enforcement related but when we do have somebody proceed through the checkstop who is in obvious violation, then we do deal with them," he said. [continues 121 words]
Rycroft residents are worried after their sleepy farming community started making headlines this summer for a more notorious cash-crop - marijuana. Mounties raided a $2.5-million marijuana grow-operation just southeast of Rycroft on Wednesday, seizing close to 4,000 plants and about 14 kilograms of dried pot. Less than a month before that police uncovered two indoor grow operations south of the 600-population town. The July 7 raid snagged about $300,000 worth of the illegal crop. And RCMP warned last week they suspect there are more marijuana grow-ops yet to be discovered around Rycroft. [continues 447 words]
Peace Country proving to be fertile ground for marijuana production operations A string of police raids that shut down three marijuana grow-ops and uncovered over $5 million in pot last week could be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to marijuana cultivation in the Peace Country, say Mounties. A combined RCMP-Edmonton Police Services marijuana team executed search warrants on three different sites located in the Peace Country last week, seizing more than 5,000 plants, said Cpl. Wayne Oakes of RCMP K-Division headquarters in Edmonton. [continues 323 words]
Powerful Painkiller OxyContin Finding Its Way As a Street Drug Alice has watched her sister battle addictions for several years but nothing has had the same hold over Barbara as a powerful painkiller known on the streets as "hillbilly heroin." Alice, a Grande Prairie resident who didn't want her full name used, has spent the last few months watching Barbara slip under the spell of the drug, which is normally prescribed by doctors but has recently found its way to the streets. [continues 603 words]
Powerful Painkiller OxyContin Finding Its Way As A Street Drug Alice has watched her sister battle addictions for several years but nothing has had the same hold over Barbara as a powerful painkiller known on the streets as "hillbilly heroin." Alice, a Grande Prairie resident who didn't want her full name used, has spent the last few months watching Barbara slip under the spell of the drug, which is normally prescribed by doctors but has recently found its way to the streets. [continues 598 words]
Police are touting a multi-million-dollar marijuana grow-op raided by Mounties near Rycroft as the largest drug bust in years for that area. "It's the largest in probably a decade. At least a decade," said Sgt. Paul Sowers of the Spirit River RCMP. "It was a fairly substantial operation for northern Alberta." Police discovered an estimated $2.3 million worth of pot after executing search warrants Wednesday on rental properties about 10 kilometres southeast of Rycroft. Close to 4,000 marijuana plants were seized, as well as 14 kilograms (31 pounds) of dried marijuana. [continues 455 words]
Police, pharmacists teaming up to beat drug producers Grande Prairie police are hailing a move by pharmacists across Western Canada to keep the ingredients used in creating the potent street drug crystal meth out of the hands of those who make it. The change will mean products that contain ephedrine and pseudoephedrine will only be available behind the counter and will only be sold in small quantities, Tracy Marsden, president of the Alberta College of Pharmacists, said Tuesday. "This step is in support of efforts to curb the production and use of methamphetamine," said Marsden, who believes the measure is the first of its kind in Canada. [continues 458 words]
Armed with the support of parents and teachers, the Grande Prairie Public School District has committed to sniffing out potential problems in its junior and senior high schools. A new policy allowing the use of the RCMP's service dog to help keep schools drug-free was given final approval Tuesday after being given the go-ahead by the primary stakeholders in the district. "We met with the school council chairs and they are in support of this," said Supt. Lorne Radbourne of the policy that was originally approved in principle last month. "We faxed a copy of the policy to (the RCMP) and it meets their requirements as well. We'll be putting this into operation in the fall." [continues 206 words]
