Nanaimo RCMP's Green Team has completed a six-week-long roundup of marijuana grow operations. The effort ran from late October to early December, during which police investigated 64 files generated from Crime Stoppers tips and police investigations. Over that six weeks, Mounties executed nine warrants and concluded 34 files, said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. The operation turned up 952 marijuana plants, more than 55 kilograms of marijuana, 135 grow lights, $4,000 in Canadian currency and one .22-calibre rifle with ammunition. [continues 98 words]
To the Editor, Re: Most criminal activity starts with drug issues, Dec. 5. While it is true that drugs are indeed involved in the majority of criminal activity police deal with, there is no indication whatsoever that drugs are the root cause of criminal activity. That distinction belongs exclusively to prohibition and the RCMP are being quite disingenuous to state otherwise. Prohibition precludes, by way of legislation, the retail marketing of 'drugs' in an open market subject to limitations afforded by law. [continues 179 words]
To the Editor, Re: Most criminal activity starts with drug issues, Dec. 5. Nanaimo RCMP Const. Gary O'Brien makes the common mistake of confusing prohibition-related crime with drug-related crime. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime. Look no further than Canada's southern neighbour for tragic examples of anti-drug policies that are best avoided. [continues 92 words]
Fire officials want to know which houses are running legal marijuana grow operations. Bob Simpson, deputy chief of operations with Nanaimo Fire Rescue, said whether they are legal or illegal, grow-ops pose a huge risk to firefighters if they are ever called to fight a fire. Simpson said the amount of electrical wires, chemicals and building alterations found in private grow-ops requires different firefighting tactics. The federal government does not permit information on legal growing operations to be given to municipalities or fire departments. [continues 315 words]
B.C. residents are boozing more and toking up less, according to new research. The average resident drank almost 9.2 litres of pure alcohol last year, up more than 10 per cent from 8.26 litres in 2002. That's among the findings of multiple B.C. academics compiled and released by the University of Victoria's Centre for Addictions Research. The province's per capita liquor intake has been rising almost twice as fast as the rest of Canada. [continues 225 words]
Drugs are the root cause of the majority of criminal activity police deal with. "If you take away drugs, you'd eliminate 85 per cent of crime in our society," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. Once a person becomes hooked on drugs, they often enter into a life of crime to feed their habit, a criminal lifestyle that can take years to reverse. One of the biggest changes over the past 30 years has been the increased potency of the drugs. [continues 487 words]
To the Editor, Re: Health team targets troubled, Nov. 26. According to the article, we are spending, through the Vancouver Island Health Authority, almost $19,000 per person per year to help those people who frequently use acute care, the police and social programs. This is of course over the amount government-funded agencies use to try and help these individuals. If any of these individuals do not try to change their lifestyle, if it includes drug or alcohol abuse or criminal acts, they should be disqualified from access to these funds. [continues 75 words]
New measures to enforce order on the streets are moving through the B.C. legislature as the government gets ready to host the world and its news media at the 2010 Olympics. Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman is the government's point man for two contentious bills being passed despite opposition objections. The Assistance to Shelter Act gives police new authority in extreme weather conditions to take people off the streets and bring them to the door of a shelter. [continues 244 words]
To the Editor, Our economy is quite obviously suffering these days and our municipal taxes are headed up. Our taxation load is already heavy with many citizens about to buckle under the strain of high taxes and inflated prices. A major municipal cost is policing and a major component of that is anti-drug squad activity. Is it cost effective to stick to the letter of the law? Personal possession of any drug - even the hardest - is not a crime in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Czech Republic or the Baltic states. [continues 68 words]
To the Editor, Re: Mounties harvest bumper crop, Sept. 5. The recent outdoor marijuana "eradication" efforts by police are glaring examples of the futility of prohibition. Law enforcement efforts are not "stemming the tide" (or "taking a bite out") of drugs, nor will they ever do so. It is all just an expensive show at taxpayer expense to give the public the illusion that something is being accomplished. Why aren't journalists asking important questions, like: Is there evidence that these eradication efforts actually reduce the availability of marijuana on the street? (The police say that is their goal). [continues 145 words]
Esquimalt wants nothing to do with them, but Victoria is impatient to get the crack kits flowing. City council is supporting the Vancouver Island Health Authority's push to distribute free crack paraphernalia. In a draft letter to VIHA, council requested a pilot project to distribute crack kits. "It is clear that harm reduction initiatives go a long way to reducing the transmission of communicable disease," said council's letter of support. Dr. Murray Fyfe, VIHA medical health officer, confirmed the benefits of crack kits have not been widely studied. But research has shown that crack pipes can carry hepatitis C-positive blood, he said. The plan is to distribute the crack kits through the same agencies distributing needles for drug injection. [continues 121 words]
To the Editor, Re: City sitting on crack kit project, June 16. This program is about harm reduction which not only affects users but those associated with the users who may contract the named diseases. Drug use is illegal but it is out there whether this program exists or not. At least with this program, there is some mitigation of the affects of drug use. City officials seem to be looking for a 100-per cent guarantee of program effectiveness, which can never be attained. [continues 482 words]
Nanaimo isn't prepared to endorse a health authority crack kit distribution program without further evidence about its effectiveness. The Vancouver Island Health Authority is discussing the program with Victoria council after the city approached VIHA about the program earlier this year. Nanaimo isn't engaged in talks about distributing crack kits and hasn't yet asked for meetings. Suzanne Germain, VIHA spokeswoman, said VIHA was approached by Victoria's mayor, but the health authority isn't actively seeking out municipalities. If Victoria goes ahead, it will be the first municipality on the Island to accept the program. [continues 385 words]
Re: Fire uncovers elaborate grow-op, May 28. A dangerous fire caused by a grow-op. The fault of criminals or the fault of prohibition? Look what people are prepared to do to grow a simple plant. Is it not time to end this reefer madness, so that people can grow a plant under the good old sun rather than forcing them to endanger their families and neighbours? Pot isn't a dangerous drug - alcohol continues to kill people and there has yet to be a death attributed to smoking a joint, not one. In fact it is a useful drug that has the potential help or cure many ailments. The U.S. government has known that cannabis has the potential to cure cancer since at least 1974. I'm serious, look it up. End the lies, and stop this madness. A. Brown Ladysmith [end]
To the Editor, British Columbia's Civil Forfeiture Office maintains that the legislation does not, by any means, allow police or the government to arbitrarily seize lawful property, and that proceeds from successful civil forfeiture proceedings are used to compensate victims and for crime prevention and remediation activities across the province. In my opinion, the creation of this 'reverse-onus' requires defendants to prove they did not gain the asset from unlawful activity. Examinations for discovery are conducted and cases are decided on the civil standard of proof - the balance of probabilities - rather than the higher criminal standard, beyond a reasonable doubt. [continues 155 words]
To the Editor, Re: 'Tough' drug bill politicized, May 21. When it comes to drugs, mandatory minimum prison sentences are proven failures. If harsh sentences deterred illicit drug use, Canada's southern neighbour would be a 'drug-free' America. That's not the case. The U.S. drug war has done little other than give the land of the free the highest incarceration rate in the world. The drug war is a cure worse than the disease. Drug prohibition finances organized crime at home and terrorism abroad, which is then used to justify increased drug war spending. [continues 84 words]
To the Editor, Re: 'Tough' drug bill politicized, May 21. One could wonder if Bill C-15 was designed specifically to increase crime. By offering mandatory minimum sentences for growing even one plant, the Tories scare off the mom and pop growers who present direct market competition to the gang growers who use public land, steal power and wreck homes. With the small-timers scared off, the gangs will have more demand to fill, and that means more profit. More profit means more violent competition and more associated crime. [continues 91 words]
The issue of medical marijuana hits the airwaves Tuesday (May 26) on CHLY 101.7 FM radio. The topic will be discussed on Pam Edgar's Living for the Health of It show from 2-4 p.m. "Polls show the vast majority of Canadians are in favour of legal access to medical marijuana but most are not aware of the strength of the benefit to those who suffer from a variety of serious ailments," said Glenda Allard Barr, a former designated medical marijuana grower licensed by Health Canada and a guest on Tuesday's show. [continues 89 words]
After 35 years of experience with mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes, Americans are beginning to abandon this discredited approach. Yet Stephen Harper's Conservative government now wants to saddle Canadians with these expensive and ineffective laws. Now before a Commons committee, Bill C-15 would impose a two-year mandatory minimum for dealing drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines in places where young people congregate. It would also impose a six-month jail sentence for growing even a single marijuana plant for the purpose of trafficking. [continues 180 words]
More drivers in British Columbia are a danger to all road users by driving impaired after using drugs, according to the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. The centre released its Alcohol and Drug Use Among Drivers: British Columbia Roadside Survey for 2008, showing fewer people driving after drinking, but more doing so after taking drugs. Allan Lamb, BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation's executive director, is particularly concerned young drivers, who act responsibly when it comes to combining alcohol and driving, have no idea they could become too impaired to drive after smoking marijuana, using cocaine or taking their drug of choice. [continues 157 words]
To The Editor, Re: RCMP 'Green Team' cracks down on grow ops, March 19. Every time the police tear out one grow op, they make the 90-95 per cent of grows they don't catch all that much more valuable. In this way, every grow bust is actually a gangster subsidy. Police know that. They also get to mislead the media and the public into thinking the busts are helping things, when, in actual fact, their actions are wildly counterproductive. [continues 79 words]
The Nanaimo RCMP's Green Team has been a growing success lately. Over a six-week period beginning in late January, the team participated in nine search warrants - searching nine homes and seizing marijuana 2,917 plants in various stages of growth. Police also located 101 lights, $17,600 in Canadian currency and three kilograms of dried marijuana. During the searches, 34 weapons were located, including handguns and long guns, a cross bow and stun taser. Five adult males and four adult females, all residents of Nanaimo, were arrested without incident and 13 charges of cultivation or possession for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act were laid. Nine criminal code charges were also laid and those include weapons offences, possession of stolen property and theft of hydro. [end]
A new poll shows B.C. residents strongly support a series of proposed justice reforms to curb gang activity and nearly two-thirds also back the legalization of marijuana. Angus Reid Strategies surveyed Canadians across the country and found at least 95 per cent of the B.C. respondents back mandatory minimum sentences for serious drug crime like drive-by shootings and designating gang-related homicide first-degree murder. Those proposed changes are being spearheaded by the federal Conservative government. The B.C. government's call to loosen evidence disclosure laws to allow speedier prosecution of gangsters also got 86 per cent support in the province. [continues 177 words]
To the Editor, I think it is an appropriate time to address an issue that causes distress to our economy and our citizens, especially those already afflicted with various serious health concerns - the use and production of cannabis. This industry is producing huge gains for the underground economy and financing gangs and organized crime. As a non-user who is married to a federally licensed medical marijuana user, I have become increasingly aware of the issues of the use of this valuable plant. [continues 183 words]
To the Editor, Re: Violence must be addressed, Feb. 14 Police and prosecutors are not the problem - it is the judges and their soft hearts. Prisons are expensive to build and operate so criminals receive light sentences to leave more money in the system and keep the government's bottom line looking good. Want to save money? Legalize marijuana (the laws do more harm than the drug), tax it and double the fight on drugs that kill. Anyone who commits a crime with a gun gets an additional five years minimum added to their sentence. Any criminal or gang associate found near a gun gets five years for first offence 10 years for second and life for third. [continues 68 words]
To the Editor, Thanks for publishing Stan White's thoughtful letter: Prohibiting marijuana won't solve anything, Feb. 3. I'd like to add that yesterday's gangsters loved alcohol prohibition; today's gangsters love marijuana prohibition. Kirk Muse Mesa, AZ [end]
To the Editor, Re: Province losing war on drug gangs, Jan. 15. Tom Fletcher isn't just accurately describing the way things are; he's describing the direction things are moving to. In the early 1970s, the Le Dain Commission's report, along with Canada's 2002 Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs report, unanimously recommended to regulate cannabis (marijuana) the same way as alcohol. Since Canada ignored those recommendations, the problems associated with prohibiting the relatively safe, God-given plant cannabis, have escalated. [continues 131 words]
To the Editor, Re: Province Losing War on Drug Gangs, Jan. 15. Tom Fletcher couldn't have hit the target more on the head than he did by suggesting the buying and selling of street drugs was making the criminal element rich and stating that prohibition is a farce. Kudos and well said. Speaking as a retired law enforcement officer and a legal cannabis patient here in Canada, I am asking you to speak up and say your piece today. Fletcher and others who agree should stand up even more today and join our incredible organization known as LEAP - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition - based in the U.S. [continues 142 words]
To the Editor, Re: Work necessary to eliminate drugs, Jan. 8. J. Sharpe writes that he thinks we need a clear explanation about addiction services. He is absolutely right about that, but we must dig very deeply to defeat the drug problem. Throwing yet another bureaucracy into the fray is only going to muddy the waters even further. The major problem is not the drugs themselves, but the money that they generate. The growers, manufacturers, distributors, dealers, policing agencies, medical personnel, social workers, and politicians all profit and have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo. [continues 84 words]
To the Editor, Re: Work necessary to eliminate drugs, Jan .8. 'Eliminate' drugs? Humans have been using psychotropic substances since before there was language. Drugs are implicated in the creations of almost every religion in the world. It is folly to think we need to eliminate drug use. What we need to do is make it as safe as possible for those who choose to use drugs, and for those who don't. As for certain drugs being 'illegal', junk food kills many times more Canadians than all illegal drugs combined, meaning that what our governments decide to prohibit is completely arbitrary. [continues 73 words]
Needle drop boxes placed downtown by the city are not being well-used by intravenous drug users, a south end residents says. James Younger says he is one of a number of residents taking it upon themselves to collect the tainted materials off the streets. "I can usually find between one and 10 within an hour of walking around," he said. Younger said he has been cleaning up the streets as part of his New Year's resolution. Many of the needles, he says, are within metres of the drop boxes. [continues 444 words]
There's one area of B.C. business investment that's seen a boom in rural areas. Unfortunately, it's organized crime. You may have heard the saga of Likely, a tiny community east of Williams Lake. Last fall RCMP confirmed results of a two-year investigation that found eight properties with buildings fitted for large-scale marijuana growing. At least one of those has been seized under civil forfeiture legislation, a powerful new tool in targeting proceeds of crime. Nine Lower Mainland residents, all with Asian names, were charged. [continues 562 words]
To the Editor, Re: Clinic concerns continue, Dec. 13. I think a clear explanation of what addiction services will be provided might help all concerned. If these services are there to get addicts to stop, then it is a good thing. If they are to help addicts cope or make it safer to continue their addiction, then it is a bad thing. Drug use is illegal. Let's make sure everyone is working to lessen it. J. Sharpe Nanaimo [end]
To the Editor, Re: Marijuana education must include all facts, Dec. 16. The Drug Abuse Resistance Education program is an important tool for North America's government-subsidized discrimination of cannabis users as Russell Barth discloses. Nearly every study, including government studies, indicate DARE is a failure and one reason is due to lies, half-truths and propaganda concerning marijuana. Whether or not DARE is effective at keeping youth away from harmful substances doesn't matter to police - it helps increase union dues for law enforcement agencies who cry when DARE programs are threatened to end because of things like budget cuts. Need proof? Read Budget Woes Kill Elgin's DARE Program at www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n1139/a02.html Stan White Dillon, Colo. [end]
Nanaimo RCMP's Green Team did some early Christmas shopping to grab suspects, cash, weapons and marijuana in six weeks of operations in south Nanaimo. Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the team worked 25 cases resulting in 14 search warrants. The inventory of confiscated goods included 1,257 marijuana plants, 25 kilograms of dried marijuana, 150 hydroponic lights, $120,000 in Canadian cash, $10,000 in U.S. cash, one silver bar worth about $1,200, two shot guns and a .22 calibre rifle. [continues 350 words]
To the Editor, Re: Education crucial aspect of preventing drug abuse, Dec. 6 Too often, drug "education" is little more than propaganda designed to scare the listener and convince them that fealty and obedience is in their best interest. As a federally licensed medical marijuana user, I consider the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program nothing less than a government sponsored hate crime. Teen drug use has quadrupled in the 20-plus years since DARE started. It might have something to do with the fact they lie and exaggerate the so-called dangers of marijuana use, but fail to discuss any of its proven medical applications, and explain nothing of the dangers of the prohibition which increases the danger of any drug. [continues 109 words]
Nanaimo's drug problem is serious and will continue to get worse unless more resources are committed, say community stakeholders. "I think Nanaimo's problem isn't out of control yet, but if we don't start adding resources, it will get there," said Marg Fraser, the Vancouver Island Health Authority's manager of mental health and addiction services. The city's five-year plan to tackle homelessness includes creating more than 300 supportive housing units throughout the city. Fraser said the provincial government's commitment to provide up to 160 supportive housing units in Nanaimo for the homeless or those at risk of being homeless is a step in the right direction toward helping people overcome their addiction issues. [continues 325 words]
Old City Quarter businesses are adamant about their opposition to a health clinic and needle exchange moving into their neighbourhood. "The bottom line is we're not happy and we don't want it here," said Eric McLean, president of the Old City Quarter Association. Association members met with the Safer Downtown Working Group, Nanaimo Area Resource Services for Families and city staff Wednesday to discuss the clinic's move to Franklyn Street. McLean said although the association remains opposed, it will continue to discuss the issue with the parties involved. [continues 383 words]
This is the third of four Saturday editions in which the News Bulletin is taking a look at Nanaimo's drug and addiction problems. We'll examine what the city's drug situation is, what resources exist, what police are doing and what more the community needs. Nanaimo's programs to help those addicted to drugs are important, but equally crucial are the programs aimed at preventing drug abuse before it starts. "The bang for your buck truly is with educating our kids," said Cpl. Dave Cusson, with the RCMP's Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Service. [continues 383 words]
For Dr. Gabor Mate, understanding the connection between mind and body health is key to treating drug addiction and other illnesses. "Before you work with anybody, you have to know who they are and why they do what they do," said Mate, who has worked as staff physician at Vancouver's Portland Hotel, which includes the city's supervised injection site, for 10 years. Mate, a columnist and author of four books was in Nanaimo this week to speak on addiction. [continues 322 words]
Nanaimo's police force devotes a significant amount of time, resources and money to tackling the city's drug issues. Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said police are kept busy dealing with issues that arise from the use and trade of legal and illegal drugs, as well as the related homelessness, addiction and petty crime issues. "A significant amount of our time is dealing with drug issues," he said. O'Brien said Mounties have identified three main drug markets in the Harbour City. [continues 516 words]
Nob Hill Park has reclaimed some of its former nobility through park improvements and an effort by the community to take back the park from drug users and make it a community destination. Lee Sanmiya enjoys going to Nob Hill Park with her four children more now because of the improvements. She has gone to the park for years because of the views and diverse hills for her children to play on, but disliked some other aspects. "I hated the fact that it had become such an unsavory place to be and hated the fact that I had to educate my kids on what to do if they found a needle," said Sanmiya. "Once we have a critical mass of people using the park for what it is intended, that's when we get a turnaround." [continues 320 words]
NDP now stands for Naked, Dumb Potheads. I had to shake my head last week watching news coverage of the 'revelations' over the past indiscretions of now-former federal NDP candidates Julian West and Dana Larsen. Most media treated word that Larsen was an avid pot-head who loudly advocated for marijuana legalization and that West had dropped trow in front of a bunch of teenagers some 12 years ago like it was startling new information. But the fact is it's old news in both cases. [continues 597 words]
As a machine operator for Knappett Industries Ltd., Ben Ladouceur's safety depends on staying alert and following company safety protocols. He said working on a job site with someone who is intoxicated by drugs or alcohol could easily mean serious injury or loss of life - his own or someone else's. "I could kill them because they're in the wrong place at the wrong time," said Ladouceur. An agreement between B.C.'s unionized construction workers and their employers has created a new industry-wide policy requiring workers who have workplace accidents or near misses to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing. [continues 507 words]
To the Editor, Re: Saving lives is bottom line, Aug. 26. How much money and wasted effort on people who don't want to help themselves is used in the Insite program? Treatment and enforcement and prevention are all much more important than illegal harm reduction, which is what the needle exchange is. Nanaimo [end]
To the Editor, Re: Needle boxes aim for cleaner streets, Aug. 9. If there is only a small population of intravenous drug users in Nanaimo, why can't law enforcement officials do something permanent about them? This just says it's OK to use drugs, but get rid of your needles safely please. This just does not address the problem issue. J. Sharpe Nanaimo [end]
Nanaimo police officers now have the authority to require a Standardized Field Sobriety Test from any driver they suspect to be impaired by drugs - illegal, prescription or over the counter. Through Bill C-2, Canadian police can demand a breathalyzer test, physical coordination test, a 12-step assessment by a Drug Recognition Expert, as well as body fluid samples. Const. Dale Somerville, Nanaimo RCMP's drug recognition expert, said the new law will help Mounties keep drug-impaired drivers off the streets. [continues 349 words]
A discussion over needle drop boxes in Nanaimo's south end is coming to a point. James Younger, a resident responding to a Safer Nanaimo Working Group report, says residents in the Nob Hill area are becoming desperate trying to keep the neighbourhood free of used hypodermic needles used for illegal drug use. He said parents scour the streets and park in Nob Hill every Friday, Saturday and Sunday to keep children safe. But the parents have no place to put the contaminated needles except in the garbage. [continues 277 words]
The amount of substance use Nanaimo students are reporting does not come as a surprise to at least one parent and educator. In the most recent safe schools survey for Nanaimo school district, nearly one-quarter of secondary students reported using marijuana while at school. That number jumps to 40 per cent when including use outside of school. Carl McIvor, a Nanaimo District secondary school parent, said many students are pushing the boundaries of their experience at this time in their lives and experimenting with alcohol and marijuana is one way of doing this. [continues 242 words]
The latest Safe Schools survey found 25 per cent of high school students are smoking marijuana at school, and while it's not totally shocking, it does beg the question: Where is the supervision? Maybe it's not realistic to expect to watch every student for every minute of the day, but there's something wrong when our kids go to a public institution and come home stoned. Perhaps more alarming is the level of alcohol use on school property. Alcohol has long taken the biggest toll among abused substances. It is a factor in a majority of crimes. Alcohol dependence can do irreparable harm to health and cause family break-ups and accidents. [continues 176 words]
