When a Calgary mother heard she could force her alcohol-addicted daughter into detox under a new Alberta law, she jumped at the chance. Bev, whose last name has been withheld to protect her daughter's identity, had seen her 17-year-old suffer from mood swings and blackouts, and go from being a happy honours student to being expelled. Her daughter refused help. So Bev used the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act that allows parents to send their drug-addicted children to a detoxification facility for five days. [continues 391 words]
Audrey Bjornstad wishes she could have forced her son off the streets when he became a crystal methamphetamine addict at age 16. But unable to convince Tyler to come home, she sat helpless thinking he might die as his drug dependency and health worsened. "It's awful," says the 44-year-old Edmonton resident and physiotherapist. "You don't sleep, you don't eat, you don't know where your child is. But you know they're using." Now, an Alberta law that came into effect July 1 allows parents of drug-addicted children to ask the courts for an apprehension and confinement order. [continues 435 words]
It's not about horses getting high. Rather, the Halifax-based company Med Marijuana, which makes Medi-Hooff's -- an all-natural product in the form of pellets manufactured from the cannabis sativa plant -- is strictly for health benefits, says co-founder Melanie Stephen. "It's ideal for helping prevent and restore cracked hooves," she said from a display booth at the Spruce Meadows Masters on Friday. "It provides faster recovery from exercise, adds muscle mass and is high in omega oils and amino acids." [continues 530 words]
