"We Shouldn't Be Wasting Any Time Getting These Tools into the Hands of the RCMP." Parliament is moving to make it harder for crystal methamphetamine producers to get the ingredients they need to do some cooking. The federal government, in a statement made June 10, announced its intention to crack down on certain 'precursor' meth ingredients by amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield introduced private members bill C-349 just more than a month ago, which would allow, among other things, the RCMP to lay charges for the possession of meth precursors. [continues 306 words]
Parliament is moving to make it harder for crystal methamphetamine producers to get the ingredients they need to do some cooking. The federal government, in a statement made June 10, announced its intention to crack down on certain 'precursor' meth ingredients by amending the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield introduced private members bill C-349 just more than a month ago, which would allow, among other things, the RCMP to lay charges for the possession of meth precursors. [continues 305 words]
"Something Has To Be Offered Outside Of The Major Centres." Politicians at three different levels of government launched assaults last week in the war against a drug that has plagued the Yellowhead Region for years. Legislation was tabled at both the provincial and federal levels that looks to restrict the distribution of chemicals used to produce crystal methamphetamine. "Meth has been a real and visible problem in communities in our riding for some time. Its effects have been devastating," said Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield, who introduced Bill C-349 in Ottawa on March 21. [continues 513 words]
Jasper Booster -- Politicians at three different levels of government launched assaults last week in the war against a drug that has plagued the Yellowhead region for years. Legislation was tabled at both the provincial and federal levels that looks to restrict the distribution of chemicals used to produce crystal methamphetamine. "Meth has been a real and visible problem in communities in our riding for some time. Its effects have been devastating," said Yellowhead MP Rob Merrifield, who introduced Bill C-349 in Ottawa on March 21. [continues 522 words]
Hinton Parklander -- A lot of resources have been allocated to dealing with drug awareness and education in recent years. But now a local organization is looking to branch off slightly and provide support for those people affected by the addictions of others. The Hinton Outreach and Peer Education Group (HOPE) and the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC) are hosting an interest group meeting Feb. 28 (today) that will provide a support network for parents, family members and friends of individuals who are involved with substance abuse. [continues 405 words]
Hinton Parklander -- Hinton town council and RCMP Staff Sgt. Harold Milroy received some unexpected guests at the May 11 standing committee meeting. Seven residents of the Sunset trailer park made an empassioned plea to council and the RCMP for something to be done about the methamphetamine problem in neighbouring trailers, saying that drug-related crime has reached `ridiculous' levels. "I have had to have people stay at my home when I've gone away," said Mike Jodoin, who acted as main spokesperson for the residents. "I know I don't live in the best neighbourhood but I should be afforded a little more personal freedom than that." [continues 234 words]
Drayton Valley Western Review - Proponents for tighter restrictions on ingredients used to produce crystal methamphetamine got a show of support Nov. 26 from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The FCM's board of directors voted unanimously to make the issue one of its top lobbying priorities in Ottawa. Brazeau County Reeve Bart Guyon, a member of the FCM northern forum committee, says the motion was spearheaded by rural communities. "Drugs have, for the most part, been perceived as an urban problem. This marks the first time that the rurals have made drugs, specifically meth, a formal issue," he said. "We have become the shopping grounds for the drug trade in recent years. Our land is so vast and policing it is a challenge, so we want to give law enforcement a better chance." [continues 323 words]
RCMP officers found "nothing" at a Poplar Ridge residence last Tuesday during an early-evening raid that startled a family from their beds. "Me and my wife Jackie were in bed around 9 p.m. when we heard a noise that sounded like somebody broke into the house," says Shaun Drover. "A bunch of officers came in with guns and presented her (Jackie) with the warrant." Jackie and Shaun were handcuffed, put into custody, and brought into the Drayton Valley RCMP detachment. The couple's two children, four-year-old Makaila and two-year-old Haley, were allowed to stay with their mother while detained at the detachment. [continues 287 words]
