'Magistrate Erred' A Milnerton man's appeal against his conviction on charges of possession of cocaine, as well as dealing in and manufacturing the drug, has been dismissed. But the Cape High Court expressed a strong view that his co-accused, who was acquitted on all the charges, should in fact have been convicted. In addition, the court criticised the magistrate's findings that a key state witness had reason to give false evidence. Moegamat Taurique Mearns and Melvyn Bathgate were tried in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court last year on charges of possession of cocaine as well as dealing in and manufacturing the drug. [continues 352 words]
The importance of parental involvement in reducing drug use cannot be overstated ("Parents must also work to keep kids off drugs," Editorial, Weekly Journal, Nov. 26). 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 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 117 words]
Two-thirds of the estimated 1,000 Downtown Eastsiders dying of AIDS are not taking free, life-extending medicine. Maxine Davis, executive director of the Dr. Peter Centre for low-income people with HIV/AIDS, said most of those not using the medications are drug addicts with little or no social support. In B.C., all anti-HIV medications are distributed at no cost to HIV sufferers through the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. "AIDS medications are readily available. If someone goes to their health care provider and they are an active drug user but want to get on the medication there is no problem," Davis said. [continues 353 words]
When should parents become concerned about drugs? (Sue Horrocks column, Nov. 19)? As grieving parents of a son who died at age 19 in 1993 after ingesting some street heroin, may we offer our comments? When America prohibited alcohol, thousands were poisoned by adulterated black market booze. When alcohol was legalized again, those incidents were drastically reduced. Today, our children are dying because of adulterated black market drugs. Let's finish the job we started when we ended alcohol prohibition, follow the principles enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and LEGALIZE ALL DRUGS. Alan and Eleanor Randell Victoria, BC [end]
To legalize the use of marijuana, considered as an illegal drug, will be a huge blunder for government, said Rodolfo Razul, regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government. This was his reaction to the proposal at the House of Representatives that marijuana should be deleted from the list of illegal drugs. Ifugao Representative Solomon Chungalao proposed for the legalization of the use of marijuana because, in an interview with a national paper, he had "wondered why some of his fellow Cordillerans would risk going to jail by cultivating and transporting marijuana." [continues 203 words]
Parents should be more concerned about the garbage that kids eat inside a McDonald's, not the "weed" they might smoke outside. Statistically we know that junk food and lack of exercise pose a much greater threat to Canadian youth and their health than all illicit drugs combined. We tell kids from an early age not to eat the stuff they find in bottles under the sink, then trust them not to. However, with drugs, especially cannabis, we tell kids all kinds of lies and propaganda, that they find out on their own is simply not true. This puts them in grave danger. [continues 240 words]
My Generation This past week, the Abbotsford school board considered using drug-sniffing dogs to check lockers in its schools. This possibility has outraged the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, which is concerned about the effect on students. In all law enforcement, there is a delicate balance between enforcement and infringement, and as with all other forms of enforcement, the people in authority must carefully consider the merits of using drug dogs. The use of drug dogs in schools is an appropriate measure to take, so long as the administration conducts searches in a respectful manner. The B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is concerned about infringements on student rights. However, if the administration conducts searches during class time and closes the area being searched to students, it would greatly lessen the cause for such concerns. [continues 387 words]
I'm shocked by your suggestion in "No smoking / Court hears medical marijuana case" (Editorial, Nov. 30) of greater concentration of power in Washington. Regardless of the arguments for or against the medical use of marijuana, I see a greater danger in transferring more and more responsibility to the federal government. Our founders did not intend for the central government to trifle with the everyday administration of government. The "ballot proposition" method of legislation is indeed a strong indication of the unwillingness of our state Legislature to shoulder its assigned responsibility, but I'd rather see the responsibility returned to the people than surrendered to the central government. Don't let your fear of "the killer weed" overshadow your customary opposition to Big Government. Terry Cantor San Diego [end]
The City of Kelowna has received a $30,000 grant from the federal government that will allow the Central Okanagan Four Pillars Coalition to complete its work. "The money will allow for a community forum and the implementation plan with a budget attached," said city councillor Sharon Shepherd. "The money has to be spent by March 31 so that puts a deadline to it." The coalition was formed last year in response to reports of surging street crime and open drug use in Kelowna's downtown area. [continues 51 words]
Thanks to columnist John Gleeson for sticking up for Winnipeg medical cannabis hero Chris Buors (Political prisoner in war on herb, Nov. 25). Gleeson is completely correct in stating how wrong it is to cage Chris for helping sick people. I know of Chris from the great letters Gleeson noted he has written. I hope they give him a pen and paper in jail so he can at least continue that part of his amazing activism while unjustly incarcerated. Chris Buors should be back in the community helping patients without harassment or criminal sanction. Every day he sits in jail is a day that patients are suffering needlessly. Buors deserves an award for helping families deal with illness, not a cell and probation. Gary Storck Madison, Wis. (Someone gave the herb warrior a pen ...) [end]
His alarm clock would sound for the first time at 6 a.m. but Frank, a self-described snoozer, would hit the delay button and go back to sleep. When he had to be at work by 7 a.m., he developed a routine. When the second alarm went off, he would find his glass pipe, drop in some crystal methamphetamine, hold a lighter underneath, but not quite touching. When the crystallized version of speed began to boil, he would inhale the vapour then roll over and go back to sleep. [continues 2415 words]
CANCUN, Mexico - Behind the glitzy playgrounds of Cancun is a growing drug war, fueled by widespread police corruption, the partial disruption of once-popular trafficking routes through Haiti, and a sudden turf battle between two of the country's main drug gangs. Three years after authorities thought they broke up the cocaine trade in Cancun, nine people have turned up dead. Investigators found a smuggling ring involving corruption at all levels of government, and it took even federal investigators by surprise. [continues 610 words]
