HINTON - As the number of victims claimed by tainted ecstasy continue to increase, one has to wonder why people continue taking the risk. Paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is a substance similar to ecstasy (MDMA), yet weaker and much more toxic. And because the drug is cheaper than MDMA it can be can be cut into ecstasy for greater profit. Those taking ecstasy laced with the weaker substance may be inclined to take more in order to get a sufficient high, greatly increasing the risk of an overdose. [continues 284 words]
There has been alot of advertising against drinking and driving, specifically, but how much advertising has there been about driving under the influence of drugs? According to Constable Deanna Alford, not much. "Since there is already a difference between the two advertising campaigns, the perception of the two tends to be different," said Alford. A police officer will enter into an impaired driving investigation the same way whether it's impairment by drugs, alcohol, or sleep deprivation. Depending on what information the officer gathers during the investigation, such as the smell of drugs, empty beer bottles, or other signs of impairment, an officer may then enter into a more specialized investigation, such as impairment by drugs. [continues 314 words]
Hadn't Smelt It, Hadn't Dealt It. A B.C. man was acquitted of trafficking 5.5 kilograms of "magic mushrooms" in Hinton Court of Qeeen's Bench Sept. 25 because the accused and police could not agree on the smell of marijuana in the accused's borrowed car. On June 20, 2006, Whlhelm Evers was caught in a speed trap by Whitecourt RCMP near Carrot Creek on Highway 16 driving as fast as 160 kmh. He was arrested after three officers smelled "fresh-cut" marijuana in the car. A search turned up a hockey bag full of hallucinogenic psilocybin mushrooms, as well as a bag of marijuana, in the trunk of the car. All the bags were vacuum-sealed and could not have emitted a smell, according to expert testimony in the case. Evers was charged with trafficking both the mushrooms and the marijuana. In sworn testimony, Evers said that, though he did not have any impediment to his smell, he could not smell the weed in the car during his hours-long trip from Cumberland, B.C. to Edmonton to sell glass pipes to paraphernalia stores. He also said he borrowed the car from his brother and did not know the drugs were in the trunk. [continues 113 words]
Dear editor, Re: New RCMP position brings back DARE (which appeared in the Nov. 19 edition of the Parklander). As a federal medical marijuana license holder who is also married to one, I consider DARE nothing short of hate propaganda on par with holocaust denial. Drug use is a health issue and we should have nurses instructing kids about them, not cops. Sending in a cop to talk to kids about drugs is like sending in a priest to teach them about sex; "Just don't do it, mister, or you'll be in big trouble." [continues 269 words]
One of Hinton's RCMP officers has a new role and she's bringing back an old program. Earlier this year, RCMP Const. Deanna Alford took over a new position within the Hinton detachment -- she is now a community services officer. "In my mind, the community services officer is a position that allows for a greater ability to get out there and be face to face with the public," she said. The new role is more preventative in nature than the traditional role of a police officer in the community, which is enforcement. [continues 294 words]
The local Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) is taking its message out into the community for National Addictions Awareness Week Nov. 19-25. "I would just encourage (people) to stop by one of our booths," said John Heffernan, an AADAC addictions counsellor. A display will be set up all week at Parks West Mall, which will include information about services offered by AADAC, as well as information about addiction. There will be brochures aimed directly at parents dealing with prevention and how to drug-proof children. [continues 221 words]
A New Law in Alberta Is Aimed at Providing Extra Protection To Children Exposed to Drug Activity. On Nov. 1, the Drug-Endangered Children Act Took Effect. "The issue of children being exposed to the dangers of drug manufacturing and trafficking is becoming more and more common," said Heather Forsyth, Minister of Children's Services. "The Drug-endangered Children Act will ensure that we are able to respond to these situations and keep more children safe." Under the new law, child intervention caseworkers and police will be able to take children into custody based solely on the fact that they are drug-endangered. [continues 235 words]
On The Town I was in Edmonton on Town business last week when I sat down at my favorite hotel restaurant for breakfast and a nice cup of coffee prior to my meeting. One of the friendliest waitresses in the city, an extremely outgoing and vivacious grandmother named June, came over to greet me like she usually does, a warm smile on her face and a personal greeting. "Hello Glenn," she said, "it's good to see you again, what a shame with what's going on out in Hinton, is the drug problem really that bad?" [continues 445 words]
Starting this month, the Alberta government added another weapon to its arsenal in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. On July 1, the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act took effect. "Youth addictions are a growing concern in our communities," said Dave Rodney, MLA for Calgary Lougheed and Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) board chair. "Specialized programs and services already exist for youth, but under the new law it will be the first time a young person can be ordered into detox for addictions services through a non-criminal avenue." [continues 338 words]
Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield has brought forward a piece of legislation aimed at tackling drug-related crimes in Canada. Merrifield re-introduced the private member's bill in the House of Commons earlier this month. The bill proposes setting out mandatory minimum sentences for criminals convicted of a serious drug crimes. Merrifield is pushing for a minimum two-year sentence for more serious drug offences. "These sentences are not just for show," he said. "If these new laws would have been in place in 2003 they would have affected 300 to 400 sentences and prevented countless other crimes. [continues 290 words]
Hinton Parklander -- The Hinton Drug Action Committee (HDAC) is spreading its wings. Since coming together in 2003, HDAC has gone from a group brought together with the common goal of eradicating crystal methamphetamine from a community, to being seen as an expert in its field. The group has seen an increase in requests for information on crystal meth and drug abuse from the community, as well as requests from other communities looking to start similar organizations. The Premier's Task Force on Crystal Meth was in Hinton on May 2 and met with members of HDAC. [continues 416 words]
Hinton Parklander -- Hinton's Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been cracking down on drugs in the community -- and the detachment is seeing some results. "We listened to what the community was telling us, we listened to mayor and council and we put out client surveys to see what the people felt we should be targeting, and they told us the biggest priority was drug enforcement," said Staff Sergeant Harold Milroy, who took over the position in December 2003. "So we just focused our efforts on that." [continues 538 words]
Hinton Parklander -- Researchers with the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) are looking for Hintonites to share stories of substance abuse. "We were invited by Foothills Model Forest and the Town of Hinton to study these issues in the community," said Dr. John Parkins, a senior sociologist with CFS. Parkins, along with researcher Angela Angell, has been travelling to Hinton since May 2005 to talk to anyone and everyone about drug and alcohol abuse. "So, our interest is in substance abuse in rural based communities," Parkins said. [continues 256 words]
Hinton's Drug Action Committee (HPAC) recently took its message on the road. The committee was invited to speak at the Community Action Against Crystal Meth conference in Saskatchewan Nov. 29-30 and members Tasha Allen Symon, Corporal Glenn Alford and town councillor Mike Jodoin made the trek. Allen Symon, who is the area supervisor for the Alberta Alcohol and drug Abuse Commission (AADAC), made the presentation, on behalf of HDAC, to the more than 500 attendees at the conference. She also offered private seminars during the conference. [continues 388 words]
Hinton Parklander -- One University of Alberta researcher is exploring why young people start using crystal methamphetamine in hopes of helping parents protect their children from addiction. Dr. Lori Harach, a professor of Human Ecology at the university, was first intrigued by the idea after reading letters to the editor in a community newspaper. They were from parents concerned about their children's addictions. "Parents who were just frustrated and beside themselves," she said. "They would say in these letters that they had no idea or warning." [continues 227 words]
Rural students in Alberta will not be privy to a new nation-wide crystal meth education program that was launched on Oct. 31. The Council on Drug Abuse (CODA) has aimed its program, Between Life and Death: The Crystal Meth Explosion, at high school students and highlights five different topics: how and why meth makes you feel the way it does, peer pressure, addiction, short and long-term effects of meth use/abuse, how to quit or help a friend quit. [continues 335 words]
HINTON PARKLANDETR -- An RCMP officer focused on drug education should be arriving in Hinton in the new year. Yellowhead County approved funding for two enhanced RCMP positions, one in Hinton and one in Edson, who will focus on drug awareness, drug prevention, D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and related crime fighting activities. "I think it's wonderful news, especially when it's related to drug action issues," said Mayor Glenn Taylor. "I'm glad the county is stepping up." [continues 517 words]
Hinton Parklander -- There is at least one thing rural municipalities and towns can agree on and that's the need for a meth-specific detoxification and rehabilitation centre outside of Calgary and Edmonton. Hinton town council is pushing for one and, apparently, other communities around the Yellowhead Region -- like Grande Cache and Drayton Valley -- are behind the initiative. The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) recently held a near unanimous vote in support of lobby efforts for a rural detox centre. This is all well and good and, without a doubt, a momentous start to the campaign. This is essentially the same alliance of municipal leaders who helped spearhead the push for more police funding last fall (but wouldn't it make sense to push some of the surplus money towards rural law enforcement, just as an unexpected bonus? Hmm? But we digress.) [continues 151 words]
Hinton Parklander -- Town council's push to have a drug detox and treatment centre located at Blue Lake took a recent hit from Alberta Health Minister Iris Evans. Evans sent a letter to the Hinton Drug Action Committee stating that such a facility is not in the government's plans. "What we're pitching is a meth-specific treatment facility," Coun. Mike Jodoin explained. The letter, however, stated that the site could possibly be turned into a private drug treatment centre. [continues 543 words]
A conference in Edson next month is designed to help family and friends of people involved with substance abuse. A Time for Hope and Healing is being presented by the Hinton HOPE (Hinton Outreach and Peer Education) Network and the Edson and District Drug Action Committee on Oct. 15. "We did want to have something that is more aimed at family members," said Tasha Allen Symon, area supervisor of the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). The daylong conference provides an opportunity for family and friends to explore ways to develop connection and unconditional love, while maintaining their own values, in the challenging relationship with a drug addict. [continues 368 words]
