An RCMP initiative targeting the trafficking of controlled substances in communities throughout the Bow Valley corridor called Project Krossbow, was a success according to police. The project was a large and detailed investigation than ran from Nov. 2007 to April 2008, involving street-level and mid-level drug transactions. Undercover purchases were conducted at various locations including businesses, residences and on the streets. The joint effort to combat the drug trafficking issue in the corridor involved RCMP detachments and general investigation sections in Banff, Canmore, Cochrane as well as the Calgary Police Service and RCMP Drug Enforcement members. [continues 132 words]
"Rape Drugs" A Jasper Bar Scene Threat They can be tasteless, odourless and colourless, but so-called rape drugs are all too common ingredients in Jasper bars. Just ask Lorraine, a 22-year-old Winnipeg woman who is working in town for the summer. She was drugged about a month ago and spoke to the Jasper Booster under the condition of anonymity. Lorraine said what started off as a good time out with some friends turned into a living nightmare when a stranger spiked her drink at a local night spot. [continues 596 words]
Sexual Predators Are Everywhere, Even In Jasper. HIV West Yellowhead said reports of drug assisted assaults are on the low this year, but so-called "date rape" drugs are very much a threat in the community. And because most victims fail to report the crime out of shame or fear of tainting their reputations in a small town, there are no conclusive figures to determine just how prevalent drug assisted assaults are in Jasper. What is clear, however, is that no person, regardless of gender or age, can be 100 per cent protected. [continues 313 words]
In Alberta in the year 2005, 25 percent of youths in Grades 7 through 12 reported using illicit drugs, and that is excluding marijuana. Illegal drug use is a problem that has run rampant in many Canadian communities over the years. Yellowhead is no different. Many of us have seen the negative effects of illegal drug use on our young people. I have raised this issue multiple times in Ottawa, bringing forward legislation to increase drug related penalties. The Conservative government campaigned to address this issue and we are following through on our commitments. [continues 364 words]
Poverty, environmental issues, and Canada's role in the conflict in Afghanistan -- wondering what these all have in common? Well, according to some, they are problems that could be alleviated to some extent if the western world would stop being so paranoid about sending the wrong message in certain cases when it comes to illegal drugs. Drugs, drugs, drugs...used unwisely, every drug from cough medicine to prescription drugs to illegal narcotics is potentially dangerous, but what possible medical cures or solutions to world issues are being missed by demonizing some substances? [continues 611 words]
Jasper Booster -- I am already anticipating the rebuttal...if people just didn't do drugs then we wouldn't have to be concerned about keeping Insite open. If life were that simple there wouldn't be an addict population estimated to be about 5,000 and some of the highest HIV and Hepatitis-C infection rates in the world in the downtown eastside of Vancouver. This area is Vancouver's poorest neighborhood and is considered to be Canada's drug capital. Located in this undesirable area is Insite, North Americas' first and only safe injection facility. The B.C. government contributed the funds required to establish Insite and operational funding is provided through Vancouver Coastal Health (total costs for the past three years are equivalent to treating about 12 new HIV infections). [continues 542 words]
Jasper Booster -- In response to a recent editorial (June 14th Booster), 'Working together to combat drug use' and your suggestion that "a local committee or local community action group with a specific focus on drugs could do considerable good here." In Jasper, human services agencies decided a number of years ago to form the Jasper Community Team, which is built around the big picture. Due to the intensive, demanding and complex nature of partnership work, it makes sense to build the collaboration around the big picture, and to create an ongoing and stable network. With such a structure in place, the community can respond to any project, initiative or challenge for instance, mobilizing around an emerging issue such as drug use as it arises. [continues 80 words]
Re: Jasperites 'get the dope on dope' (June 14th Booster) Perhaps Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield can clear up the definition of just what a "serious drug crime" might be. Would a "serious drug crime" be establishing a drug policy that puts control of the "drug" market into criminal hands? Or would a "serious drug crime" be subsidizing a violent drug market that causes robbery and assault? Since there was no such thing as "drug crime" (ie robbery, burglary, assault, rape etc) connected with drug use when drugs were legal, would a "serious drug crime" be establishing a drug policy that increases crime in every category? Since there were virtually zero "drug deaths" before drug prohibition, would a "serious drug crime" be establishing a system that kills thousands every year? Redford Givens San Francisco [end]
Jasper Booster -- Quite recently Booster readers may have read a piece entitled 'Drug trends scary' in this space. Because we believe the effect of drugs in this community is an important issue, this week's editorial deals with a similar theme. But this time the focus is more on the solutions and not so much on the symptoms. It's clear this is an issue that is causing ever increasing concern locally, but the good news about that is the more people who aware of the problems and worried about them, the better equipped we'll be to deal with them as time goes on. [continues 418 words]
Jasper Booster -- From the local MP to a large group of Jasperites, the issue of drug use in the community was on the minds of many last week. Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield introduced a private member's bill in the House of Commons that would require mandatory minimum sentences for criminals convicted of a serious drug crime. In a press release, Merrifield said that Canadians are sick and tired of drugs destroying communities and criminals getting off the hook. Locally, the drug issue took centre stage for a number of residents with workshops involving healthcare, emergency services and social services staff in Jasper. [continues 620 words]
There really is only one word to describe the trends Jasper is seeing when it comes to drug used and that word is scary. For years this, and other tourist destinations popular with young people, have been associated with the use of marijuana. While police would likely tell you that it's certainly a drug they would like to see less of around here, it's slowly and surely becoming a secondary concern for parents worried about what their kids might be getting involved with. [continues 264 words]
Re: Harm Reduction: Helping Addicts Feel Human, March 8 Page 13 Regarding Patrick Mooney's March 8 op-ed, the need for harm reduction alternatives to the drug war is best exemplified by the tragic experience of Canada's southern neighbor. United States Centers for Disease Control researchers estimate that 57 percent of AIDS cases among women and 36 percent of overall AIDS cases in the U.S. are linked to injection drug use or sex with partners who inject drugs. This easily preventable public health crisis is a direct result of zero tolerance laws that restrict access to clean syringes. Canada cannot afford to emulate the harm maximization policies of the former land of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated. Sincerely, - -Robert Sharpe Common Sense for Drug Policy www.csdp.org [end]
In a drug-user context harm reduction can be explained by this definition, one of many to be found; "It is any program or policy designed to reduce drug-related harm without requiring the cessation of drug use." Further to this, and found on a web page out of the UK, another author states that "it does not focus on abstinence: although harm reduction supports those who seek to moderate or reduce their drug use, it neither excludes nor presumes a treatment goal of abstinence. [continues 653 words]
Most of us students find that the reason most kids start doing drugs is because of the lack of entertainment. There is nothing to do. Before, there used to be a bowling alley, pool hall, and just places to hang out in a safe environment. We think that there should be a bowling alley or something to do. Jasper is an awesome place to live, but there is nothing to do. So I hope that the council would think of something for us kids to do. I think that this would help our town with our drug problems. - - Fawn Furlotte Jasper [end]
The staff at Jasper Jr./Sr. High School is exploring measures to deal with concerns of drugs on school grounds and they're looking to the RCMP for help. In a recent high school newsletter, the school discussed the potential for searching lockers periodically using a police dog, but the possibility of this measure is still being discussed. Cpl. Leon Fiedler and his German Shepherd police dog Jake from Stoney Plain made a presentation to high school students and Jasper Elementary School Grade 6 students on Feb. 16. After the presentation, Fielder and local RCMP discussed with a staff member a number of solutions besides dog searches that could help control the presence of drugs within the school. [continues 298 words]
Another class of Grade 6 students is near the end of a learning process highlighting the consequences of drug, alcohol and tobacco use. The DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is used in the Jasper Elementary School each year and has been run the past five years by Const. Stephanie Lutes of the Jasper RCMP. She visits the school for 10 one-hour class sessions to talk to students about issues like drug and alcohol abuse and the dangers of smoking. She also relates those issues to social factors like peer pressure, self-esteem, media influences, smart and informed choices, and ways to handle the pressures. [continues 266 words]
Parents and youth in Jasper got their chance to hear about trends in drug use in the area and the dangers posed by substances like crystal meth at a special forum on Nov. 21. The meeting was hosted by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) and came less than a week after local AADAC representative Tasha Symon made a presentation to municipal council urging the town to help lead the community in the battle against rising drug use. Although there are a number of drugs the community should be concerned about, a special focus is being put on crystal meth, the use of which has been increasing in Jasper, according to Symon. [continues 608 words]
Drug use is on the rise in Jasper and, though many don't want to believe it, those who deal with the issue on a day to day basis think it's time for the community to face the music. The RCMP, Community Outreach Services (COS) workers and those involved in the local judiciary system all agree they're seeing more drug use problems in town most specifically concerning crystal meth. COS outreach worker Paul Schmidt said he is definitely hearing of and seeing a larger presence of harder core drugs in the community including meth. [continues 607 words]
Jasper Booster -- Politicians at three different levels of government launched assaults last week in the war against a drug that has plagued the Yellowhead region for years. Legislation was tabled at both the provincial and federal levels that looks to restrict the distribution of chemicals used to produce crystal methamphetamine. "Meth has been a real and visible problem in communities in our riding for some time. Its effects have been devastating," said Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield, who introduced Bill C-349 in Ottawa on March 21. [continues 522 words]
Jasper Booster -- The March 9 Jay Walking column was right on target. Hazardous marijuana grow operations are a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Legitimate farmers do not steal electricity to grow produce in the basements of rented homes. If legal, growing marijuana would be less profitable then farming tomatoes. As it stands, the drug war distorts market forces such that an easily grown weed is literally worth its weight in gold. Rather than continue to subsidize organized crime, Canadian policymakers should ignore the reefer madness hysteria of the U.S. government and instead to look their own Senate for guidance. In the words of Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue." - - Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC [end]
Jasper Booster -- The tragic murder of four young Mounties at a marijuana grow-op near Mayerthorpe last week touched the hearts of Canadians across the country. It also touched on a debate that has been smoldering in Canada for years. How should the law deal with marijuana? The horrific events of Mar. 3 should spark some kind of government policy change, perhaps bringing tighter gun restrictions, legal reforms or giving Mounties more resources to crack down on serious crime. But what exactly does 'serious crime' entail? For some, marijuana production falls into that category. [continues 516 words]
RE: Date Rape Drugs Continue To Be A Local Worry, Feb. 2 Booster Thanks for the coverage. You neglected a key warning in your concluding summary that gave warning advisories to those who might fall prey to such clandestine doping. That would be to watch carefully how much you ingest of the most commonly used date-rape drug - alcohol. Your drinks can be free of adulterating pills. But if you pound enough of them in a short enough span of time, you'll wake up the next day just as painfully unaware of the previous night activities and maybe a victim of unwanted sexual attention as well. - -Stephen Heath Clearwater, Florida [end]
RE: Date Rape Drugs Continue To Be A Local Worry, Feb. 2 Booster Thanks for the coverage. You neglected a key warning in your concluding summary that gave warning advisories to those who might fall prey to such clandestine doping. That would be to watch carefully how much you ingest of the most commonly used date-rape drug - alcohol. Your drinks can be free of adulterating pills. But if you pound enough of them in a short enough span of time, you'll wake up the next day just as painfully unaware of the previous night activities and maybe a victim of unwanted sexual attention as well. Clearwater, Florida [end]
The use of date rape drugs in Jasper continues to be a problem even in the less busy winter season. Jasper Community and Family Services reported to municipal council last month that there were three reported incidents involving date rape drugs. "That seems like quite a high number for that month," said sexual health nurse Diana Sieben. "Any incident is high, three is quite big." Sieben said that it's impossible to calculate an accurate statistic on the number of incidents of date rape drugs because many victims don't report it. [continues 324 words]
With all due respect there is no question to the medicinal benefits of cannabis it has been studied and used for over 5,000 years, and with current modern technology studied for over 50 years the problem is the canadian government especially conservatives(who ignore even their own think tanks when it suits them) ignore any science not done by "canadians" let alone anyone they don't particularly like as evidenced by their refusal to repeal prohibition of cannabis. This whole drug war is a farce and I for one and getting violently fed up with it. Australia recently finished a comprehensive 40 years study in fact our officials just refuse to pick it up......grow up canada demand prohibition be repealed! William Bradley Kitchener, Ont. [end]
The Marijuana Debate Will Light Up Once Again In Canada. Prime Minister Paul Martin announced on July 23 that his party will re-introduce legislation for the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana. That means instead of being nailed with a criminal offence for carrying the currently illicit drug, the possessor would simply be handed a fine. While that move is a step in the right direction, what is getting little play in the media is how medicinal use of marijuana will be dealt with under Martin's proposal. [continues 299 words]
Jasper Booster - If MP Rob Merrifield is serious about keeping dangerous drugs out of the hands of children he is going to have to come up with a common sense plan that does not involve abdicating that responsibility to organized crime. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with addictive drugs like cocaine. This "gateway" is the direct result of a fundamentally flawed policy. Marijuana may be relatively harmless, but marijuana prohibition is deadly. [continues 121 words]
Jasper Booster - I have a few questions for MP Rob Merrifield about his evident support for drug prohibition, a program he should know was initiated during the first half of the 20th century as a means of persecuting and "controlling" blacks (marijuana) and Chinese (opium). 1. If drugs are banned because they are harmful to users, why, then, are tobacco and alcohol not banned? Doesn't this seem unfair to those who prefer illegal drugs? If we ban one harmful drug, shouldn't we ban all harmful drugs? [continues 304 words]
Jasper Booster - Once again Mr. Merrifield has provided a narrow view of a monstrous problem and left out vital information to help ensure his perspective is seen as the best way. His problem with the decriminalization of possession of marijuana is certainly not new but the end result is that the public wants more done about the drug problem and to do more, you need to free up financial resources and manpower. The first step in achieving this is decriminalization. One of the largest wastes of taxpayer dollars and police manpower is on trails for individuals who possess small amounts of marijuana, most of which end up in small fines anyway. [continues 222 words]
Jasper Booster - I read with dismay the item in the Jan 7 Booster "MP's Corner" wherein Rob Merrifield called for a more draconian, US style approach to illegal drug use and sale. It is truly unfortunate that Mr. Merrifield did not avail himself of the facts before writing. If he had, he would have known that the yankee approach has led to the highest rate of incarceration in the world, the highest rate of illegal drug use, and the greatest loss of civil liberties. It is truly scary that an MP would express the desire to follow the same path. Anyone can find the truth at www.drugwardistortions.org or www.drugwarfacts.org, or look at the report of the Nolin commission, or the Schafer commission in the US, or the LeDain commission of the 1960's, or read the excellent book Marijuana Myths Marijuana Facts by Lynn Zimmer Ph.D. and John P. Morgan M.D. Of course, it would help if the reader has an open mind, and less of a desire to be in control of other peoples' choices than Mr. Merrifield obviously does. Bruce Symington, Medicine Hat [end]
MP's Corner Jasper Booster - Recently, Health Canada released an alarming report on teen drug use. It showed that almost 85,000 Canadian teens between the ages of 12 and 19 smoke marijuana daily, and that in 2003 34 percent of teens had tried marijuana more than once - a dramatic spike from 1993 levels of 13 per cent. Here in Yellowhead, we are witnessing first-hand the negative effects of increased teen drug use in our schools and on our streets. Drug users and the criminal element that closely follows are tarnishing both our image as a safe place to raise families and the reputation of the majority of youth who have responsibly stayed away from drugs. [continues 414 words]
Officials say methamphetamine use doesn't seem to be as high in Jasper as other communities in the area, but that could easily change Jasper Booster - Unlike Edson and Hinton, methamphetamine use isn't a major problem in Jasper - at least not yet. Although the highly addictive drug is known to be in town, its popularity hasn't reached the same levels as in communities east of Jasper. But local RCMP Corp. Dave Osborne has concerns that meth use could one day become a serious issue for the community. [continues 444 words]
MP's Corner Jasper Booster--Member of Parliament for Yellowhead, Rob Merrifield is concerned with the federal Liberals decision to soften Canada's marijuana possession laws. Bill C-38 will decriminalize possession of "small" amounts of marijuana. The ticket threshold would be 15 grams, and police officers would have the option of pursuing a summary conviction or a small criminal charge between 15 and 30 grams. No criminal records would be attached to those who are only given fines. Here are Merrifield's thoughts one the issue: [continues 337 words]
Decriminalization of marijuana could be misunderstood by residents, making more work for police and filling courts, warned Jasper's mayor. The announcement by Justice Minister Martin Cauchon that he would push for legislation to remove simple marijuana possession from criminal law within the first three months of 2003, "is just fraught with the danger of being misinterpreted," said Richard Ireland, Jasper's mayor and a local lawyer. Ireland worries that Jasper police and court may get even busier in the event the legislation goes through, unless government launches an effective campaign to educate people about what decriminalization really means. [continues 307 words]
Drug users make short-term decisions based on seeking pleasure, but they don't think about the serious harm and danger they inflict on their bodies in the long-term. That was one of several important messages locals heard during a Street Drug Awareness seminar on Dec. 2 at the Emergency Services Building. The session was aimed at local health care and social service professionals, as well as members of the local RCMP detachment and fire department. Among the groups represented were the local health region, AIDS Jasper, Community Outreach Services, the Jasper Crisis Team/Victim Services and the Adult Learning Council. The seminar was facilitated by AIDS Jasper, the Westview Health Region and AADAC. [continues 827 words]
The recent series of local seminars on Street Drug Awareness are an important step towards our understanding of drug abuse and how it can affect us all. (See story on Page 3). It's another one of those issues where education is key. The more we know the more we can do about it down the road. People, young and old, make a conscious choice whether or not they want to consume illegal drugs, but the problem is many of these people only know about the short-term effects of their decisions. [continues 263 words]
The following is a response to a letter to the editor published Sept.11 titled "We need answers before drugs legalized" Dear Editor, In regards to this letter to the editor, which criticizes the Senate report due to what it does not say - I would suggest the LTE writer read the report. It suggests that all 3 levels of government need to reach a consensus on these questions by meeting and discussing the issue at a conference to take care of details such as age limits which may be different in each province. The report also suggests distribution like tobacco and alcohol which means the provinces would be in charge. To wait for answers before the provinces can even have the right to ask them would not work. First the provinces must get the power and then provincial politicians and voters will ask these questions and make the decisions. Neither the questions nor the answers are within the federal sphere of jurisdiction. Chuck Beyer Victoria, B.C. [end]
Dear Editor, All we know is that Canada will become a haven for users from countries which do not share its opinions. Other than that, the Senators' proposal to legalize marijuana and regulate its usage in the same manner as alcohol raises as yet unanswered questions. Will those cannabis products such as hashish and hash oil containing higher concentrations of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) be legalized as well? Will driving after use be subject to legal sanction? If so, is there a test that can be performed on the spot by law enforcement officers? What specific methodology will be employed to distinguishing between those sixteen-years-old and younger? [continues 88 words]
Dear Editor, Re - Drugs are a Jasper problem, Aug. 28 Why do governments prohibit certain drugs? Is it to protect users from harm? No, that can't be the reason because users suffer more (adulterated drugs and jail time) when a drug is banned as compared to when it is legally available. My wife and I became well acquainted with this aspect of government policy when we lost our 19-year-old son to street heroin in 1993. Besides, two of our more dangerous drugs, alcohol and tobacco, are legal. [continues 156 words]
Submitted by Steve Carlyle Jasper Elementary School students celebrated their graduation from the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program on June 14 at the school library. About 60 family members of Grade 6 students turned out for the event. This is the second year the DARE program has operated in Jasper. It works to provide students with a knowledge base on the effects of drug abuse and aims to build decision making and problem solving strategies kids can use to make informed decisions, and resist the use of drugs. [continues 88 words]
Over 100 people gathered at the Activity Centre Thursday night to celebrate the graduation of 43 Grade 6 students from the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program. The 17-week program, designed to educate young people on the dangers of drug and alcohol use, was offered for the first time in Jasper. "Finally we got to provide our kids a program that's worthwhile," said Const. Melanie Piche, who volunteered her time heading the project, which entailed spending 90 minutes a week with the sixth graders. [continues 204 words]
George Phillips woke up one morning. He was entering middle age. He was addicted to heroin, cocaine and alcohol. He was HIV positive. "I woke up and I was 40 years old and I had a deadly disease," Phillips told 200 Jasper students during a talk at the Activity Centre for AIDS Awareness Week. While most of the focus of AIDS prevention has been on promoting safer sex, Phillips contracted the virus through sharing needles with fellow drug users. His descent into a dark life of drugs, crime and the streets began early. As a child he was beaten by his hard-drinking father who "wanted to make me a man." Dad did time for manslaughter and robbery and when he wasn't in jail, moved the family from town to town where he'd hold a job for a while, then quit or get fired. [continues 557 words]
