During his election campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalize marijuana if we chose him as our leader. That day is near, and marijuana might be legalized on Canada Day 2018. Such a decision should not be taken lightly. Our country is not ready for this change. To clarify, I don't want to come across as cynical. I know that medical marijuana has its place in treating patients with chronic or terminal illness. I also don't agree with throwing people in jail for carrying small amounts for personal use. I see this as a waste of time, money and resources. At the same time, however, I don't think that the legalization of marijuana is what our country needs. And I certainly don't think it will make our country healthier, happier or safer. The decision to legalize marijuana has implications for health, society and our youth. [continues 547 words]
Many Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned with the federal government's proposed legalization of recreational marijuana. Rigorous scientific studies are not available on its long-term effects to users. Quite the opposite, what is available points to an irreversible neurological degeneration, in particular for young people. It took more than 400 years of ingesting the tobacco drug into the human body before the weight of evidence was accepted by the majority of governments that it was a disaster to human life. [continues 320 words]
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the latest budget brought huge debt, a two per cent increase in the HST and shutdowns of everything from seniors' dental programs to more than half the province's public libraries. In Prince Edward Island, the HST's up one per cent, while Nova Scotia has gone through public sector wages to eke out the barest slender slip of a balanced budget. New Brunswick? It also raised HST by two points to 15 per cent and is talking about public sector job cuts. [continues 506 words]
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. [continues 213 words]
Illegal drugs flood Labrador West An increase in wealth has increased another serious problem in Labrador West. Illegal drugs are flooding the community and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has an uphill battle. "We're into an economic boom here, so it's a lot of money flowing around," said RNC Cons. Bill Fitzgerald. "With the boom, you get the good and the bad, and unfortunately the drugs are a part of the negative side of it." Cocaine choice He said there's a wide array of drugs out there from ecstasy to speed to marijuana, but cocaine seems to be the drug of choice. [continues 602 words]
Dear Editor: RE: Safety trumps privacy (Feb. 1, 2010 editorial) "Sure marijuana is not even in the ballpark with crack cocaine, but it does fall under the illegal category making it difficult to justify its use." I can think of about a dozen reasons to justify using cannabis. It has dozens of medical applications, and even when smoked, its benefits outweigh any dangers. Also, chronic daily users don't suffer anywhere near the impairment that a casual user would. By that I mean, there are people smoking 10 joints a day and you would never know it to look at them, while other people are visibly impaired by just a few tokes. [continues 52 words]
There's nothing black and white about whether mandatory drug testing should or should not be practiced in any workplace. When any drug significantly alters a person's physical and/or mental state, many would argue a user poses safety risks in many work environments. Every employer has a strict responsibility to eliminate any and all risks to safety. Not many would be shocked to learn a manager sent home an employee who showed up for work reeking of alcohol-whether it's stale or fresh. It's pretty well an acceptable assumption the individual is under the influence of the drug (alcohol) and poses a risk to him/herself and to coworkers as well. [continues 662 words]
Four girls became seriously ill while attending a wedding celebration on the Paul First Nation, west of Edmonton, early Sunday morning and were taken to hospital after allegedly taking what they thought was ecstasy. Police were called after the girls suddenly became sick. Three of the teens were rushed to hospital in Edmonton. Two died. The RCMP has checked the pills and has confirmed there is NO evidence the drugs were laced with anything. That's straight fact. The very same ecstasy is available in virtually any community in Newfoundland and Labrador. See, it doesn't have to be laced with anything to be deadly. [continues 433 words]
Weed smokers beware. You aren't going to like what I have say, so stop reading now. The rest of you, continue. It's been a few weeks since Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps made international headlines after a photo of him allegedly inhaling some kind of 'natural' substance surfaced on the Internet, and reaction has been swift. My own included. Phelps was the boy wonder of the Beijing Games winning a record eight gold medals as a swimmer and inspiring millions of people worldwide with his carefree buoyant attitude. He must have been on top of the world, and no doubt the whole world was gazing up at him. [continues 592 words]
Hairdresser Raises Money, Awareness Through 12-Hour Cut-A-Thon Deanna Howell wants to cut the drugs in Labrador West. The Labrador City hairdresser hosted a 12-hour cut-a-thon at the Labrador West Youth Centre Nov. 22, as part of a campaign to raise awareness about drug use. "I wanted to make kids, parents and anyone who has had any kind of personal experience with drugs, aware of what's going on in the community," she stated. "I've never done drugs, but I've had someone close to me who has, so I wanted to make people aware about what's going on here." [continues 470 words]
The majority of Canadians use some type of drug during their lives, though most do not experience problems or misuse drugs. People use drugs for a variety of reasons, which varies from the type of drug to the person and occasion. Let's look at some common factors involved. What role do the media have in drug use? Advertisements on radio or television, in magazines, newspapers all are influential in the way people think about drugs in general. Product sponsorship of sport and artistic events, portrayal of substance use in plays and movies and availability of information on the internet also play a part in how people perceive legal and illegal drug use. [continues 505 words]
When you say the word addiction, most people relate it with illegal drugs such as cocaine or heroin, but there are more people addicted to legal drugs like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, than hard drugs. Just take a drive by Tim Horton's around 7:30 a.m., and watch as cars line up in the drive thru, with people in a rush to get their morning fix. Most people don't think of caffeine as a drug, but it is. It's a stimulant found in pain relievers, cold medications, coffee, tea, cola drinks, chocolate and other foods and beverages. [continues 557 words]
Also known as "Acid", this drug is the most potent and highly studied hallucinogen known to man. It belongs to the class of drugs which basically make you think you see and hear things that aren't really there. The drug itself, known as Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD for short) is a form of a fungus toxin that infects rye and other grasses. LSD was first extracted in 1938 by Dr. Albert Hoffman. At the time, he was researching for a circulatory stimulant, but instead accidentally ingested a dose of it, and discovered its hallucinogenic properties. One particular psychologist who was conducting experiments into the potential medicinal use of acid commented that it kept him unable to speak for five days and that he never recovered from the mind-shattering experience. The drug, identified as having no therapeutic use, was outlawed in the 1960's. The popularity of acid reached its peak during the 60's hippie movement but gradually declined through the next 30 years as the psycho-stimulant drug ecstasy replaced it in popularity among younger users. [continues 380 words]
Dear Editor: In Cpl Keith MacKinnon's Op Ed titled "common sense" he fails to make any (sense). His logic drifts around quite a bit, but his conclusion that legalizing cannabis would somehow add to the woes created by alcohol use is way off point. The fact is people use cannabis and the main difference is if it were legal it could be taxed, regulated, and black markets would disappear. In countries such as the The Netherlands were its permitted rates of use are much lower than in Canada or the US, so it cannot be argued that making it legal would increase use. The fact, back to Cpl MacKinnon's main point about alcohol being the worst drug, is that if cannabis were more widely available perhaps people would use less alcohol. David Lane Santa Cruz, CA [end]
Do you know that responsible drinkers only account for about half of a given brewers sales? Gross alcohol consumers account for the other half. The harms associated with alcohol abuse are responsible for millions of dollars in health care costs across Canada every year. We need to be aware that advertising in our society always has a target audience, and in many cases that is teenage youth and adolescents. Different approaches/opinions are held in treating this problem. When I hear proponents for marihuana legalization expressing their view I can't help but consider that our one licit substance, alcohol creates more harms than all other drugs combined. [continues 409 words]
Every few years, there is a drug survey of students from Grades 7 to 12 to gain insight into trends and habits as reported by the students themselves. This year, 3900 students across Newfoundland and Labrador took part in the survey and the statistics are encouraging. The survey suggests that five per cent more students in 2007 have abstained from all substance abuse compared to in 2003. Alcohol, cannabis and cigarettes continue to be the substances most commonly used by students in Newfoundland and Labrador, keeping in line with the rest of Atlantic Canada. [continues 507 words]
re: The Drug Deal-addictions awareness Dear Editor: Addiction is an awareness of how we govern ourselves as individuals and as a country. It is what was not said that concerns me most. Libertarians like Milton Friedman and Dr. Thomas Szasz makes the strongest case for a free-market in all drugs based on the Jeffersonian observation in his Notes On Virginia that "Were the government to prescribe to us our medicine and diet, our bodies would be in such keeping as our souls are now. Thus in France the emetic was once forbidden as a medicine, and the potato as an article of food. [continues 901 words]
Addictions Services Encourages Parents To Talk To Kids Addictions Services wants Labrador West families to become more drug aware. Kim Blake, an addictions counsellor with Labrador-Grenfell Health, explained Addictions Awareness Week is taking place from Nov. 18-24 and it's a good opportunity for residents to learn more about drugs, alcohol and gambling. This year's theme 'Get Up On It' is the same as last year, however, Ms. Blake noted the Addictions Awareness Week Planning Committee, made up of representatives from Mental Health, Addictions Services, the Labrador Regional Wellness Coalition and various other local community groups, decided to focus on families. [continues 510 words]
"Alcohol kills 6.5 times more youth than all other illicit drugs combined." November 18-24th is Addictions Awareness Week and it is the focus for raising awareness on the problematic use of substances in our lives. In Newfoundland and Labrador the theme chosen by Addictions Services this year centers on the topic of alcohol and the importance of the family as the first point of learning about substances and how we can begin to reexamine the current trends. The NL Addictions Services catch phrase: "Get up on it" means: get informed, do some thinking and talking to youth in your lives about this important topic. The website is interactive and offers information for parents and young people alike on substances and gambling. A contest will soon be posted on the website. [continues 711 words]
Every once in a while we hear about a drug bust on the news. Take for example the 18 pounds of marihuana seized from a residence in Goose Bay last week. You may ask, "is there that much demand for weed in the area?" The answer is simply "yes". Large lots of drugs are typically broken down by the trafficker for sale in the outports of Newfoundland and Labrador in smaller quantities. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking "it's only weed". Weed kills. People using the drug today are smoking an extremely potent product. Then in their high, irrational state decide to get behind the wheel of a car and drive impaired-no different than getting drunk and doing the same. They risk the lives of others and themselves in the process, not just other drivers but pedestrians, kids on bicycles etc. How selfish can one get? [continues 417 words]
Dear Editor: Your corporate owners will be pleased indeed at your continued support of the police as they enthusiastically utilize our shameful drug laws to persecute the minority that uses some harmful drugs while leaving alone the majority that uses other harmful drugs. Selling fear to the public has always been a mainstay of the media (and the police, for that matter). Taking a "tough on crime" stance, particularly in a climate of perpetual fear created by the "war on drugs" and the "war on terrorism," is always a politically safe posture. [continues 90 words]
To the Editor: As a retired police officer, I deeply regret the time my Canadian colleagues spend busting marijuana growers. Every hour they do, drunk drivers are able to kill more. Child molesters have less chance of being caught before they entice a teen to 'meet in real life.' Marijuana is a poor choice and should always remain illegal for non-adults. It is lunacy to have my profession chase cannabis while Canada allows unrestricted sales of the alcohol, the second deadliest drug in Canada behind tobacco. Officer Howard J. Wooldridge (retired) [end]
Dear Editor: Some people just don't get it. Complaining that BC letter writers are "drug promoters" won't solve the issue, so let me lend a voice from outside BC that calls into question the entire fight against marijuana in particular and drugs in general. The drugs caught by police represent a drop in the bucket of the product out there. The reason that drug dealers get to live like kings, tax free, and the reason why 12 year olds are getting stoned at recess is because gangsters control the drug industry. Do we see gang wars opening up over legal drugs like alcohol and pharmaceuticals? No. Why? Because those substances are regulated and controlled. [continues 69 words]
Dear Editor: Congratulate cops for busting pot people? Why? All it does is send more business to some other dealer. And there is always another dealer. You'd have to be pretty naive to think a bust that size is going to make any significant impact. Pot is everywhere. If anything, it may get a bunch of people who were going to buy pot frustrated enough to try some other more dangerous drugs that are more easily available. Like booze or meth or Oxy. [continues 153 words]
If anyone was expecting booze, expensive perfumes or hockey tickets from any of the newly elected (or re-elected) MHAs, the expectations will have to be scaled back by a long shot. The lot of them, who occupy seats now in the House of Assembly, were handed a rather large handbook last week outlining precisely the to- do and not-to-do rules of being a member. And in case some choose not to do their reading homework, seminars will also be in place to further inform members and staff of the rules. In the end, if caught spending out of turn, ignorance will be no excuse as it was in the constituency scandal period. [continues 801 words]
It's time for Labrador West residents to take off the blinders and look at the monster staring them in the face. Drugs are a problem in our community. It's been avoided, played down and ignored long enough; now we have to take action. A crystal meth presentation at the Arts and Culture Centre Sept. 17-18 threw drug use in the face of everyone who attended, and while it didn't focus on local statistics, it showed what can happen when drug use is ignored. [continues 919 words]
Parents' Account Of Meth User's Nightmare "Forewarned is forearmed." Mark and Ruth McLaughlin, founders of Crystal Meth Society of British Colombia, want Labrador West residents to start the war on crystal meth before the drug infiltrates too far in the community. The couple came to the area last week to spread the message on the hazards of highly addictive stimulant drug and hope their story, as well as some hard core facts, will make an imprint on the town. "Our younger daughter got involved with crystal meth," Ruth explained their motive to spread the word. "She started getting in trouble at 14 years old and within a few months she was downtown on the streets." [continues 801 words]
Catchy title, makes you want to read further, doesn't it? What do I mean, by "you're being watched?" I'm not talking about the police but rather the oldest sibling in a family. How many of you adults were affected by the oldest brother or sister in the family? If you smoke drugs or drink underage, against (most) parents' wishes, what do you think little sister or brother will think when they learn of this? Naturally, they will figure that if it's OK for the older sibling then it's OK for them. [continues 451 words]
Community Leaders Clash Over SCAN Legislation There's new legislation in place designed to combat crime in communities. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Act passed in the House of Assembly before the end of the spring session and according to Jim Baker, MHA for Labrador West, it's a very proactive piece of legislation. "The objective is to establish some kind of a mechanism to respond to complaints concerning illegal activities and how they adversely effect or harm our neighbourhoods," he said of the SCAN Act. "It's not based on criminal law, it's based on civil law." [continues 1302 words]
Regarding Cpl. Keith MacKinnon's May 28th op-ed: because heroin is sold via an unregulated black market, its quality and purity fluctuate tremendously. A user accustomed to low-quality heroin who unknowingly uses pure heroin will likely overdose. The inevitable tough-on-drugs reaction to overdose deaths is part of the problem. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of 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. While Canada's southern neighbour remains committed to moralistic drug policies modeled after its disastrous experiment with alcohol prohibition, Europe has largely abandoned the drug war in favour of public health alternatives. [continues 121 words]
I asked a young group of kids once what they thought heroin was. One little girl piped up and replied, "Isn't that a hero that's a girl?" Opium is processed from the milky fluid of the unripe seedpod of the opium poppy plant. The two most prevalent opiates in this fluid are morphine and codeine, both widely used in medicines today. The main reason for the decline in the popularity of opium is the availability of semi-synthetic and synthetic prescription opiates. [continues 488 words]
Dear Editor: After all government says about cannabis (marijuana /the devil weed), how do citizens and especially youth know government is telling the truth about cocaine (Cocaine, The Real Thing? May 14, 2007)? According to the U.S. government, cannabis is the biggest problem in North America--just ask the U.S. Drug Czar.Today's pot is more like cocaine, causing cancer and all. Cannabis is a Schedule I substance, while coke is only a Schedule II substance; so coke must not be a big deal, right? What's the truth? Truthfully, Stan White Dillon, Colorado USA [end]
Cocaine, The Real Thing? Of the drugs that originate from plants, cocaine is one of the most powerful, if not the leader. It is one of many stimulant drugs, adversely affecting the central nervous system. Powder cocaine sells for about $100 a gram in larger centres, more in some smaller isolated communities. As are all drugs to varying extents, its destructiveness is significant. Those who elect to snort the drug may eventually end up with the cartilage in their nose beginning to dissolve down onto their lip, causing holes between the nostrils. Eventual damage to the nasal membranes can cause bleeding after repeated use, leading the user to ingest the drug in other fashions as the snorting becomes too painful. [continues 510 words]
Here's the test. You're with a group of friends and one of them pulls out a baggie with some unknown substance in it and promptly informs you that it's the cool thing to do and says (here's the classic), "Everyone does it." Now try the same scenario, but with a bottle of liquor. What do you do? I ask high school students during presentations the question, "Are you going to jump off a cliff because your friends say it's OK? So why use drugs?" [continues 650 words]
Re: Drug Dealers And Organized Crime By Cpl. Keith MacKinnon Dear Editor Despite a close working relationship, RCMP CPL MacKinnon seems to miss the simple logic of the illegal drug business. Perhaps it's a case of missing the forest for the trees. He states "Drugs will always be available, as there will always be a demand." True. Continuing the prohibition of drugs guarantees organized crime will dominate the trade in those drugs. As long as the good soldiers of the failed 'Drug War' like CST MacKinnon chase after an admittedly unreachable goal (chasing down all the dealers), they ensure the organized criminals are the ones who will take the risk and make the huge profits. [continues 116 words]
Re: Drug Dealers And Organized Crime. Feb. 19 Dear Editor: "Together we can take the toys from those who don't earn it or pay taxes like the rest of us." Then why not legalize the damn stuff so that drug producers and distributors can operate openly and pay taxes "like the rest of us"? Alan Randell Victoria, BC [end]
Drug Dealers And Organized Crime I once asked a Grade 3 student what dope was. He replied, "that's what you are if you use drugs!" This exemplifies the simple wisdom of youth. In my service I have targeted and arrested drug dealers involved in trafficking a range of drugs, from a gram of weed to millions of dollars worth of cocaine/marijuana in offload investigations. These investigations have spanned from the local community to huge international cartels. I have written wiretaps, worked agent and undercover files and have seen a number of individuals and a variety of drugs cross my path; however, one common denominator has prevailed in the motivation of traffickers, that of greed. [continues 484 words]
Adults have failed to keep kids away from drugs, and failed to keep drugs away from kids. The main reason is our gangster-subsidizing drug prohibition laws. In a completely unregulated market, drugs are easier to get than booze or tobacco. Many people worry that if we were to suddenly legalize and regulate drugs like we do with alcohol, it may 'increase availability'. Kids buy drugs at school! Inmates use heroin! How could the public possibly have more access than they do now? [continues 306 words]
Cpl. Keith MacKinnon's Jan. 29th column offered excellent advice on preventing adolescent substance abuse. The importance of parental involvement in reducing drug use cannot be overstated. School-based extracurricular activities also have been shown to reduce use. They keep kids busy during the hours they're most likely to get into trouble. In order for drug prevention efforts to effectively reduce harm, they must be reality-based. The most popular drug and the one most closely associated with violent behavior is often overlooked by parents. That drug is alcohol, and it takes far more lives each year than all illegal drugs combined. Alcohol may be legal, but it's still the No. 1 drug problem. [continues 139 words]
My Child Would Never Do That Many a time I have received a telephone call from a distraught parent that their child has gotten involved in drugs, looking for some help. In some cases, the drugs have been found in the home; in other cases the parent has strong suspicion but no tangible proof. As parents, we must go back to school and learn a few important points. A strong knowledge base of drugs of abuse, current trends and attitudes is vital. Then we have the other half of the equation involving the actual communication with the child. This doesn't apply to me, you may say, my kid would never try the stuff. Wrong. Pick up the paper, read the news. Stories abound about addiction and the resulting ruination that this doctor, that minister, the postal worker etc. have experienced and the list goes on. [continues 362 words]
Wellness Subcommittee Offering Full Schedule Of Events Next Week Addictions Awareness Week is just around the corner and the planning committee has some wonderful events set up for this year. Sandy Penney, Addictions Services coordinator, explained Addictions Awareness Week is from Nov. 19-25 and is a national event designed to raise awareness around alcohol, other drug use and gambling. It also points out the positive aspects of making healthy life choices. "We're going to bring it right back to focusing on alcohol this year," Ms. Penney said. "Alcohol is still the No. 1 drug of choice among young teens and adults. Alcohol is the drug of choice that we see the most referrals for here at Addictions Services and we can't lose sight of that." [continues 464 words]
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary made tidy work last week of two drug busts here in town. Two homes yielded a catch of illegal drugs (hashish, cocaine, marijuana), prohibited weapons and a quantity of cash. What's nice about it is this is a couple of supplies that will not make it to the streets or the schoolyards of Labrador West. A local constabulary officer told me once (in a general conversation about drugs) that it's practically impossible to rid any community of illegal drugs and I am sure he was right in saying that. [continues 579 words]
There is a drug problem in Labrador West that can no longer be ignored. There are drugs on our streets, there are drugs in our homes and more importantly there are drugs being sold to our children. Parents need to wake up out of their complacent haze and take a look at their children's activities. Last year, Menihek High School conducted a drug and alcohol study. The results of that study were frightening at best, yet nothing has been done. The school put the information out there for the general public, yet there was very little response. A few concerned parents may have come out of hiding, but for the most part, the study was ignored. Even the Menihek school council is in awe of how quiet parents have been. [continues 583 words]
It's seems everyone is catching on to ways and measures available out there to protect the environment. More and more people are recycling and becoming self-conscious of things that litter and/or damage their milieu. The latest approach is a private company taking on a new initiative of providing garbage containers to residents in Labrador West. If enough people opt to buy into the new idea, no doubt it will add to the cleanliness of this area. The towns of Labrador City and Wabush are, without a doubt, close to pristine in appearance, which is indicative of the great efforts of both towns. People are cognizant these days and simply just don't tolerate trash. They don't like to see it and they don' t like to smell it. [continues 492 words]
