Parents Want The School Division To Step-Up Drug Searches. A delegation from the WCHS parent council implored the school board, April 14, to allow random dog searches in a lock-down situation. The school council is aware drugs are more prevalent in rural communities due to the information provided by the RCMP, AADAC, and most recently, a survey of WCHS students. "As parents, we are seeing a rise of blatant drug use in and around our building. We need to send a strong message to create a deterrent," said Shirley Patterson, parent council representative. "Random dog searches in a lock down situation would accomplish our goal." [continues 348 words]
"This is not like a hunger. It is like when your bladder is full and you're trying not to think of if, but you have to go." That was how Dr. William Hendricks described the cravings a substance abuser feels once he or she is addicted. It was only one of many insights into the drug industry given to approximately 100 people attending the Drug Awareness Evening at Queen Elizabeth Junior High School. The evening was presented by the Wetaskiwin Community Solutions Committee as a way to educate residents about the drugs found in the community. [continues 669 words]
"No one makes a career decision to become an alcoholic or a drug addict." But with one in three people affected by drug use, drugs and alcohol abuse is prevalent in our community, said Pat Kelley of AADAC. People are used to seeing socially acceptable drugs used, such as coffee, tea and alcohol, but many people do not realize the danger illegal street drugs pose. "Street drugs are very risky. You don't know what you are purchasing when you buy a street drug," said Kelly. [continues 414 words]
If the light bulbs go missing, it might be the sign of a bigger problem at home. Since injecting speed, also known as crystal methamphetamine, is risky, many drug users heat the substance with a lighter in a broken light bulb to inhale the fumes. Being aware of the prevalence of drugs in our community is the first step to halting their use, according to a recently-formed ad hoc committee. Community Solutions, formed by representatives of health, law enforcement, education, child and family services and local municipalities, was created after several sectors noticed an increase in the use of crack cocaine and speed. [continues 736 words]
Canadian kids1 future is foremost on a cyclist1s mind as he pedals across Canada for a third time. Stan Wawzonek stopped in Wetaskiwin, July 16, on his way to the west coast as he rides to promote the Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) Program. Twice before, he has ridden in support of recognizing veterans, but the Brantford, Ont. resident has found it is, literally, a dying cause. 3I did as much as I could for the veterans. So many of them are dying off, they1ve reached that age,2 he said. [continues 403 words]
The Australian Federal Police Commissioner yesterday backed Prime Minister John Howard's rejection of a heroin trial, putting two of the nation's top crime-fighting agencies at odds over how to tackle the drug problem. Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty yesterday denied law enforcement agencies were losing the war against drugs and said a heroin trial would only succeed in sending mixed messages to Australian youth. "We have had some major successes ... in the last 12 months to two years we have seized over one-and-a-half tonnes of heroin ... There is a heroin drought," he told The Age. [continues 225 words]
Prime Minister John Howard, criticised for stacking his drugs advisory board with advocates of zero tolerance, yesterday announced the board's new makeup. The seven new members reflected the changing focus of the council and continued to represent a wide range of views and expertise, Mr Howard said in a statement. But the appointments were criticised by drug users, family support groups and Labor. Opposition health spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said: "The drugs debate needs to involve a variety of voices and a variety of solutions, not only those the Prime Minister wants to hear." [continues 84 words]
Drug traffickers, people smugglers and other criminals could lose the fortunes they have made from their crimes without being convicted, under new laws being considered by the Federal Government. Under current Commonwealth law, a person must be convicted of a crime before the proceeds of illegal activity can be seized. Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison will take a proposal to cabinet in the next few weeks to enable criminal assets to be seized through the civil courts. "The aim of this legislation is to ensure criminals do not profit from crime by hiding their illgotten assets prior to conviction," Senator Ellison said. [continues 203 words]
Melbourne authorities have responded quickly to fears of needle-stick injuries on city beaches, with Port Phillip Council saying it may install signs warning beachgoers of the risks. The Environment Protection Authority has also said it will meet all bayside councils this week to consider how to rid Melbourne's beaches of discarded syringes. The authority will coordinate a meeting between the councils and the Department of Human Services this Friday to improve syringe collection on beaches. Jonathan Crowe, 31, of Wollongong, pricked his foot on a used syringe during the weekend ironman event at Elwood beach. He now has to wait three months to learn if he was infected with HIV or the hepatitis B virus. [continues 496 words]
Three Melbourne mayors have called on the State Government to allow a trial of safe injecting rooms. Earlier this week, the state Labor Party announced a drugs strategy that would include five safe injecting centres in Melbourne if it won government. The Mayor of Port Phillip, Cr Dick Gross, and the Mayor of Yarra, Cr Steve Watson, said more people had died from heroin-related deaths in their areas than anywhere else in Melbourne. The Mayor of Greater Dandenong, Cr Naim Melhem, also joined the call for safe injecting centres. [continues 167 words]
