In the months since Rob Ford's political troubles became the most over-reported story of the year, a Washington, D.C., sports talk radio show called "The Sports Junkies" has become the source of some of the Toronto mayor's most candid opinions on current events and politics.

After being stripped of most of his mayoral duties last November, Ford began making regular appearances on the show.

While on the air last week, he voiced his views on the potential for government revenue through decriminalizing marijuana.

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According to a 2012 Atlantic Student Drug Use Survey of junior and high school students, almost half of the students surveyed in Newfoundland and Labrador had not used any substances in the previous year, a significant improvement from past survey results.

The findings from this survey will be used to inform policies, programs and future campaigns, and will help to identify important opportunities to create awareness and promote prevention of substance use among youth.

"The survey results provide valuable insights into the behaviour of youth, and although there are some encouraging trends, it is imperative that we work with parents, schools and students, in particular, to create awareness of the pitfalls of substance use," said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services.

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Student Drug Use Survey Results Are Out for First Time Since 2007

The Student Drug Use Survey is completed irregularly, roughly once every three or four years, and is meant to provide a snapshot view of alcohol use, drug use and high-risk activities by young people in the province.

The latest results were released Wednesday by the provincial government and show a lower overall number of students who - presented with questions with the promise of anonymity - said they used any illegal substances in the year prior to the survey.

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Panel denies Crown's application to have $6,500 held until drug case appeal

The Crown's attempt to allow police to keep money and the passport of a British Columbia man who had been arrested on drug charges has been denied.

In a decision handed down recently in St. John's, the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal has ordered that police give back all Julian Strongitharm's property, including his wallet, passport and $6,500, which had been seized from his knapsack.

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Earlier this month, the federal government indicated it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year.

Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to the standard at any major airport in Canada.

Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to also review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as the Marine Atlantic ferries.

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Earlier this month, the federal government said it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year. Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to that at Canada's major airports.

Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as Marine Atlantic ferries.

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Last week, the federal government indicated it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year.

Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to the standard at any major airport in Canada.

Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to also review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as the Marine Atlantic ferries.

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Earlier this week, the federal government indicated it would be stepping up security on the VIA rail system, in the wake of bomb plot earlier this year.

Now, anyone who wants to travel on VIA Rail, will be subject to security checks equivalent to the standard at any major airport in Canada.

Since we're on the subject of national security, it's time for the Canadian government to also review other transportation systems where security is lacking, or non-existent; such as the Marine Atlantic ferries.

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An editorial from the Hamilton Spectator, published July 29: Is Justin Trudeau going to far too fast by embracing the legalization, taxation and regulation of marijuana?

On one level, no, because his party adopted legalization back in 2012. Trudeau was skeptical at the time, preferring to take the incremental step of decriminalization. Recently, he changed his mind, saying he has given the matter much thought and attention, and now favours legalization.

Don't panic. What he actually said was: "a I realized that going the road of legalization is actually a responsible thing to look at and do." That's a recognition of the fact that not only does Trudeau first need to get an electoral mandate, but also that there would be numerous challenges to overcome before outright legalization could be accomplished. We're talking years. Trudeau also knows legalization will be a killer campaign issue in conservative strongholds.

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Sources Say Supreme Court Ruling Not an Issue for Local Operators

For the most part, workers at offshore oil installations and those busy building the Hebron gravity based structure at the Bull Arm fabrication site are not being subjected to random drug and alcohol testing.

The Telegram asked about the issue in response to a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling. The ruling was in relation to a dispute between Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Local 30 and Irving Pulp and Paper Ltd. and spoke specifically to previous decisions in the case from arbitrators and the lower courts.

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The rate of success is poor, the nature of the work often frustrating and the paperwork required under new rules is daunting.

But the reward is the amazing transformation of those who are helped by methadone, says Dr. Jeff White, who has been administering the program as part of his family practice for several years.

Methadone -- which reduces drug cravings and opiate withdrawal while blocking euphoria -- is used to treat addiction to opiates like OxyContin. Doctors who administer methadone maintenance therapy must obtain a special exemption. There are only a handful who provide the service in the St. John's area.

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CORNER BROOK - Drug addiction is not just a problem for the person who is hooked. The entire community has a responsibility to take action to deal with the widespread impacts such a negative lifestyle can have.

That's the impetus behind a community alliance based in St. John's that is trying to not just talk about the issue, but take concrete steps towards helping people at risk of drug addiction.

Some members of that alliance talked about what they are doing during a panel discussion Thursday morning as part of the Community-University Expo 2013 happening at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in Corner Brook this week.

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RCMP speculates the difficulty in detecting them in workplace tests could be behind their popularity

The rise in popularity of synthetic drugs in the province is the top concern for an RCMP officer tasked with drug and organized crime awareness. The rise in popularity of synthetic drugs in the province is the top concern for an RCMP officer tasked with drug and organized crime awareness.

And those drugs include a variety of the highly addictive substance known as bath salts.

"Absolutely, because there is not enough known about some of them," said Sgt. Stephen Conohan, the RCMP provincial co-ordinator for drugs and organized crime awareness, and the lead instructor on clandestine drug labs. "Minute quantities can cause very adverse reactions."

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Town joins growing list of communities battling intravenous drug use

The town of Torbay is attempting to lock illicit drug use out of its community one area at a time.

As a result of discarded needles being found in the watershed area at North Pond, the town has erected a sign informing the public that in a few weeks the area will be gated and secured.

Deputy Mayor Geoff Gallant says he's not gullible enough to believe it doesn't happen in Torbay, but until it was brought to council's attention in May he wasn't aware needles were being disposed of in public areas.

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A group of Marystown area parents, about 60-70 in all, attended a public meeting at the Little Bay Heritage Centre Saturday called by the 'Stand Against Drugs on the Burin Peninsula Committee'.

Spokesperson Ruby Hoskins, who chaired the meeting, asked those present to sign three petitions, in an effort to battle what the committee believes is a growing issue with drugs and drug abuse throughout the peninsula.

Mrs. Hoskins told the meeting "The RCMP say drugs are readily accessible in Marystown."

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Drug-testing policies becoming the norm

Second in a two-part series

At 3 p.m. on a weekday, a bar on George Street is nearly empty. A bartender idly wipes the counter while a patron leans against it, nursing a beer.

He looks nervous, eyes darting towards two other patrons sitting in the back.

"I'm not telling you my name," he says. "And you don't need to know where I work."

With that, he nods.

"Yeah, coke's there," he says. "I've seen it, or guys come in and they were doing it the night before."

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'It used to be weed. Now it's coke and pills,' St. John's cabbie says

Part 1 in a two-part series

The best part about waking up in the morning for Ron is that he doesn't have to call his dealer anymore.

He starts his mornings now with reflection instead of drugs, but he's aware that could change any day.

Ron is an addict, even though he's been clean for a decade. "I'm my biggest problem," he says matter-of-factly.

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A while ago, Younger Boy informed us that there is a drug problem at his school.

This, in a junior high.

"What!" I said. "Are you having problems getting drugs?"

We had a good laugh, and then the discussion turned serious.

I repeated what we've told the boys many times before, that when someone asks if they want to buy drugs, the proper response is, "No thanks."

The president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of School Councils wants police officers to have more involvement and presence in schools. As a parent, I say, no thanks.

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Election Fever Is Contagious in Colorado

It's our 20th wedding anniversary this month and we're celebrating it in Mile High Colorado, home of Celestial Seasonings tea, Crocs shoes, and now legalized marijuana.

When we booked the trip, I forgot the nation would be gripped with election fever. At the local convenience store you could vote with your coffee cup and order an Obama double-double or a Romney latte. Imagine if, next election, Tim Hortons offered Newfoundlanders the option of buying Harper coffee? How many cups do you think they'd sell?

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Nearly half of Newfoundland and Labrador residents support the legalization of marijuana, according to a new survey from Corporate Research Associates (CRA), while a quarter of the population supports the legalization of brothels.

The latest polls, released June 14, show that men, younger residents, and those in the highest income bracket support the legalization of marijuana.

The CRA poll shows 47 per cent support, with 44 per cent opposing legalization, and nine per cent being undecided.

Those numbers are similar to Atlantic Canada totals, with this province showing the second highest support for legalization after Nova Scotia.

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