So, you enjoy dabbling in marijuana, eh? It's just a hangover from your college days, right? Weekend recreation. Nothing serious. You're not hurting anyone and you've got the scientific data that proves smoking a joint is no worse than tipping a few lagers. You're not alone. Just ask York Regional Police. They announced Friday that 23 people had been charged with drug-related offences during a late-winter sweep through Whitchurch-Stouffville. Most took place in Stouffville. Most facing charges are local residents. [continues 193 words]
Prisons - Re: "Tattoo parlours now a federal prison perk," Nov. 11. I attended the Remembrance Day service at the Museum of the Regiments and was quite moved, not only by the service, but also by the size of the crowd of all ages that came to honour the men and women who gave their lives to ensure our freedom. Then, I came home to learn from the paper that they died so convicted drug dealers, rapists and murderers could be provided free needles to shoot up illegal drugs while in prison. I can just imagine the aura of futility and discouragement that must rest among the crosses, row on row, in Flanders' fields. Jim Mason, Calgary [end]
Police Chief's Goal: Stop Drug Dealers A new police initiative targeting street-corner drug dealers and other criminals in Richmond neighborhoods is under way, Police Chief Andre Parker said yesterday. He is calling the initiative "Blue Wave," because wave after wave of officers - some in patrol cars, others on bicycles and motorcycles - are being deployed in the crackdown. When drug dealers and gun-toting thugs move from one location to another, "we will follow them," Parker said. "I don't care where they go. I want their activity stopped in Richmond," he said. "Just because we clear a corner doesn't mean we won't be back in an hour or two." [continues 127 words]
They Charge Dozens Of Suspected Dealers It took five months, up to $10,000 for "hot spot" buys and 15 Richmond police officers working undercover. Their target: street-level drug dealers all across Richmond's East End. But by the time they wrapped up Operation Street Vendor with a round-up of suspected drug dealers, police officials say, all that time, money and manpower had paid off. Richmond police Major Frederic M. "Rick" Hicks, who supervised the five-month investigation, ticked off the results: [continues 360 words]
The April death of a 21- year-old worker in Richmond Mayor Timothy M. Kaine's campaign for lieutenant governor was caused by a drug commonly known as the date rape drug, the State Medical Examiner's Office reported yesterday. Michael Risman was found dead about 11:45 a.m. April 6 in his Church Hill apartment by his roommate, with whom he had spent the previous night drinking at downtown nightclubs, according to police. Tests have shown that Risman died of acute gamma hydroxybutyric (GHB) acid poisoning, said Robert Holloway, administrator of the medical examiner's office. [continues 163 words]
