The Harper Conservatives renewed attempt to shut down the Vancouver InSite safe injection program is nothing more than plain old small- minded prejudices. The courts have told Harper and his cronies twice now that they are wrong to attack this much valued facility, but it seems this is yet another example of how this government sees "the Law" as simply something to be gotten around JUST as it did in its contempt of parliament recently. And now that they have a majority I am sure we will see a lot more of the same - prejudices and contempt that is - in the months to come. William Clegg Gabriola Island [end]
Dear Editor, It is an elementary scientific principle that mere correlation does not ipso facto indicate or even imply causation. You could probably find a near perfect correlational fit between later drug use and early childhood ingestion of milk, for example. Few people, however, would hypothesize that prior milk ingestion subsequently 'caused' the ingestion of 'harsher' substances. The problem, as Dr. Bruce Alexander has so ably argued in his published work, is not addictive substances, but addictive personalities. (Where is the 'substance' to which the gambling addict is addicted?) Millions of people ingest marijuana with little or no harm to themselves and none to others. Ditto alcohol consumption for social drinkers, though alcohol abuse has of course very severe consequences for self and others. [continues 131 words]
CST. Chris Caldwell, Gabriola RCMP, Youth and Liaison Officer for the detachment, hosted a presentation with the Gabriola Elementary Parent's Advisory Council on chemical drugs and their use on Gabriola. One of his first slides was a file photo of teens drinking in a park. Chris said, "This is typical of what I see at the Twin Beaches park and at the skatepark with the youths on the island. "What I [also] see is that the alcohol use is leading to the use of harsher drugs by the youths on the island." [continues 1346 words]
Gabriola RCMP are concerned about the use of ketamine by local youth after a recent incident. Cst. Mike Reid said RCMP were called in by BC Ambulance to a residence in the south end of Gabriola where it was reported a youth had overdosed after taking ketamine. Mike said, "We've confirmed ketamine is on Gabriola. We are concerned about it's presence, and encourage frank discussion between parents and youth on island over the use of such a drug. "We've heard that it is available at parties on Gabriola, we're hoping to educate the public, parents in particular, about the drug. [continues 227 words]
Dear Editor, I wished to comment on the stories (covered by both the local papers) regarding the police's recent campaign against marijuana growers. I want to remind readers and members of our community that there is another perspective on this issue, and truly, its position bears more weight than the current "law enforcement" perspective. In 1972, the "Report of the Le Dain Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use of Drugs" was released after being commissioned by the federal government. It was a most thorough document, covering and researching almost every imaginable aspect of marijuana use and users (the complete document can be easily found with a Google search). The final report recommended that cannabis be removed from the Narcotic Control Act and that the provinces implement controls on possession and cultivation, similar to those governing the use of alcohol. Although the report was widely praised for its thoroughness and thoughtfulness, its conclusions were largely ignored by the federal government. [continues 532 words]
Drug users, like most normal people, would prefer not to go to prison. Cracking down on drugs or locking up petty offenders is expensive, and won't solve the problem. Drug users need help, not jail time, but laws that punish them drive them away from the help they need. If they ask for help, they have to admit they use drugs, which opens them up to the possibility of prosecution. In order to provide drug users the help they need, a good first step would be to quit threatening to lock them up. That strategy keeps them both hidden and addicted. [continues 244 words]
Being a role model, for anyone, is a difficult road to walk. Take Michael Phelps -- the guy spends how long training, dedicating how many hours, days, months, years of his life to winning at the Olympics, and then his endorsements are taken away from him because of a simple snapshot. Now, that's the right of the company - to not want to be associated with a person who has been seen using a "bong." It is also Phelps' right to choose whether to use said "bong" in the fashion usually associated with it. [continues 191 words]
D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a preventative program for youths that began in Los Angeles in 1983. The program is currently established in more than forty countries and continues to expand. It is brought to our schools by the RCMP and presented to students in grades 5 & 6 in an educational approach, designed to help kids recognize and resist pressures to experiment in some risky behaviours. It has been considered as preparation for entry into high school, a period during which they will most likely be exposed to tobacco, alcohol and drug use among peers. [continues 464 words]
When, when, when are people going to bother to learn the facts BEFORE making, and publishing, broad assumptions and instilling fear into the hearts of ordinary people? Last week the Sounder published a letter to the editor, unfortunately under a title that gave it the weight of an actual, factually-supported article, in which some very inflammatory remarks were made by Louise Amuir. We are disappointed that the letter was given the credence it was and saddened by the lack of facts and evidence provided to support the comments that were made. [continues 658 words]
Throughout our series on Crystal Meth, we have explored the many facets of the drug's impact upon our communities and the physical and social consequences of using this substance; we have heard from family members and active users and have gained a better understanding of what is quickly becoming an epidemic across our province. The one common thread throughout though, is the necessity for honest communication with our kids, especially when we take into account two of the possible precursors for use: the isolation of living on a Gulf Island and alternately the proximity to a larger centre where the availability of this drug increases. Constable Jennifer Prunty of the Gabriola RCMP Detachment affirmed, "What concerns me is that when our children are bussed off the island to attend school in Nanaimo, they are then in a city where this drug is readily available. I especially worry about the Grade Eight students, who won't have the tools to deal with some of the pressures, this, accompanied by limited supervision." In Duncan, with a population only slightly larger than Gabriola, a forum on crystal meth was held with over 500 people in attendance including Constable Prunty who indicated that "should there be enough interest in a forum here, we would be happy to help facilitate that." [continues 611 words]
As part of an ongoing series discussing the effects of crystal meth on our communities, we'll take a look at why people turn to meth as a drug of choice and discuss with active users and family members the devastating physical and social consequences of its use. For reasons of confidentiality, names have either been omitted or changed to protect the individual's identity. Some of the people that I spoke with talked about the shame associated with their addiction and the familial upheaval caused by the drug dependency. [continues 1067 words]
The use of crystal meth is fast becoming an epidemic across our province. Whether you choose to call it by one of its street names - jib, ice, glass, or tina (to name only a few) the facts remain the same; it is a drug that uses cheap, volatile and highly toxic, over the counter ingredients that have resulted in the most potent grade of this drug being manufactured in clandestine labs. Super labs are set up in apartments and sheds, barns, basements and hotel rooms, however this drug can also be made in makeshift labs called 'Mom and Pop' or 'Beavis and Butthead' labs; these smaller labs fit into vehicle trunks, picnic coolers and suitcases. [continues 541 words]
There are so many "definitive" comments being made on the subject of marijuana - from the Bush nonsense - to the one that so many love: Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell's comment of a few weeks ago: "Marijuana? Legalize it and tax the hell out of it." However, much common sense there may be in that statement, it's unlikely it would happen without a visit from the marines. So, yes - that helicopter criss-crossing our island was indeed searching for the deadly weed, with quite some success. Global positioning satellites pinpointed outdoor grow-ops resulting in several premature harvests. As yet we have not been advised of any charges being laid. The RCMP should not be faulted, they're doing what we pay them to do. [end]
A tearful Auxiliary Constable Michelle Poirier accepted flowers from the 22 enthusiastic students who took part in a DARE graduation ceremony at Gabriola School last Thursday afternoon. "It has been a pleasure to be around you and I've learned a lot," she said after presenting a slideshow of some of the highlights of the highly successful program that started January 15th and continued every Thursday throughout the school year. "You are role models who will set strong and positive examples in the future." [continues 427 words]
On March 25th, Gabriola Veterans attended Gabriola Elementary to present auxiliary constable Michelle Poirier a cheque in support of the Gabriola DARE program. The $300 was provided by the Gabriola Memorial Cairn Association, raised from local poppy sales during Remembrance Day activities. The money donated facilitate the purchase of texts and instructional materials, and will help fund the graduation ceremony scheduled for May. DARE is the acronym for Drug Awareness Resistance Education, a program that is recognized and taught around the world. The goal is to educate children about the hazards of drug use and provide them with the tools to make informed decisions. [continues 87 words]
DARE stands for "Drug Awareness Resistance Education." It is a program of the RCMP designed to help our youth resist the pressures of the drug pushers. But it's not just for that. It also focuses on building self-esteem, and deals with bullying and other issues facing our youth. Currently there is a series of classes being conducted by the RCMP Auxiliary at Gabriola Elementary. The Gabriola Lions have been active supporters of this program and Lions president Keith Sim recently presented a cheque for $1000 to RCMP Auxiliary Michelle Porier. This money is used for educational material and teaching aids not otherwise covered for the students. It's all done on a volunteer basis. Preliminary studies on the effectiveness of DARE in other communities are showing excellent results in curbing the scourge of illicit drug use in our society's youth. [end]
