Williams Lake has gotten a head start when it comes to the Interior Health Authority's plan to co-locate mental health and addictions services. Since the B.C. Ministry of Health's announcement last March that the five regional health authorities would be responsible for addiction services, the Interior Health Authority has been working to integrate substance abuse counselling, treatment and prevention as part of mental health, said Mohamed Dhanani, director of mental health services for the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap health services area. [continues 365 words]
Editor: Colombia, is a country of enormous contrasts, of tranquillity and havoc, of peace and violence. It is the world's second largest exporter of flowers, including several jet plane loads a day of just roses during Valentines season. They also export an enormous amount of coffee, tropical fruits, coal and clothing. Their clothing industry includes bathing suits featured in last years Sports Illustrated, swimsuit edition as well as high fashion designs and blue jeans. They have many economic and internal issues but cocaine and terrorists get all the international press, not the roses and bikinis. [continues 977 words]
Three women singing the Warrior Song began Friday's opening celebrations for a new facility at the Nenqayni Treatment Centre. The Youth and Family Inhalant Program now has its own home on the Deep Creek Reserve. There are rooms for 10 girls, but according to cultural leader and counsellor Phillip Johnson, they can squeeze in 12. The federally-funded project has been in the works for over a year and construction to the building was completed in August. That month commenced the first six-month program in the new building and so far, it's operating at capacity. [continues 314 words]
Editor: Re: 'Accused trafficker denied bail,' Tribune July 16. Was there ever a greater gift to the modern nation state to help it ride roughshod over the rights of its citizens than the mass media? I don't think so. If there is one emotion that separates man from lower forms of animals, it is the propensity for humans to hate, without reservation, other humans. Once a leader can persuade the population to hate a particular minority and that he or she is the best person to lead the charge against that minority, the leader's power is assured. [continues 333 words]
Along with the usual array of drugs being trafficked in Williams Lake, some may be surprised to learn that anabolic steroids are also being sold. And, it appears the drugs are being sold at, or near, local high schools. So what are anabolic steroids? Anabolic steroids are a group of synthetic hormones similar to the male hormone testosterone. They are commonly used for bulking up and building body mass when they are not used for their correct medicinal purposes. "Anabolic steroids are the ones most commonly abused," says street nurse Bruce Self. "They are usually administered by injection. They can enhance performance because they mask inflammation. [continues 477 words]
Without marijuana, Tim James says he would suffer immensely from symptoms of Hepatitis C and the drugs he takes to treat his illness. An ex-marine, Tim has lived in Williams Lake for most of his life. His troubles began in 1986 when the fuel truck he was driving for Shell Oil blew up. After the accident, Tim had a number of operations, 27 blood transfusions, and was unable to work for three years. Depression mounted on top of his health problems. [continues 434 words]
