In my boyhood days it was not uncommon to see, in an American Western movie, a US Cavalry officer look concerned at the sight of smoke signals on the trail ahead. Smoke signals often meant a battle was about to happen with the usual loser being - the Indians, of course! However, in July 2018, smoke signals of a totally different kind will be rising all across Canada with the legalization of marijuana. All Canadians, including status and non-status Indians, will be able to sit on their back bridges and light up a joint and blow their own smoke signals to their hearts' delight. For some, legalization means nirvana; for others, it's an uneasiness. Who will be the losers on this new trail we are about to take? [continues 865 words]
On May 29, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published an editorial written by its editor-in-chief, Dr. Diane Kelsall, titled "Cannabis legislation fails to protect Canada's youth." Dr. Kelsall takes issue with three aspects of Bill C-45, the federal government's Cannabis Act. She argues that the minimum age for buying and consuming cannabis should be 21 instead of 18, with limits on the potency of cannabis for people under 25; that home cultivation should be prohibited; and that the federal government should set national regulations for distribution and retail. These well-intentioned suggestions are misguided and potentially harmful. [continues 501 words]
It was a bold statement: "We will legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana." The 2015 federal Liberal election promise caught Canadians' attention and attracted the votes of many who supported the long-overdue legalization of marijuana. Many people believe that smoking a joint is no worse than having a beer. Plenty of Canadians - even prime ministers - have tried it. Polls indicate most people want legalization. Medical marijuana use has smoothed the drug's acceptance. The government is finally ready to table legislation to legalize marijuana by July 1, 2018. But why the wait? Do we really have to wait another 18 months for proclamation, when 60,000 Canadians are convicted each year for simple possession or personal use? [continues 363 words]
Conversations with its partners in the fight against impaired driving were high on the agenda for Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD - Mother's Against Drunk Driving -while visiting the province recently. One of the things heightened during his conversation with RCMP and RNC representatives was the need for increased capacity in testing for impairment from psychoactive drugs. Murie said the laws are in place to help curb the problem, but it was "interesting to see how pathetically long it takes to get test results." [continues 314 words]
In British Columbia this past week, the provincial government was told liquor store employees wanted to be the ones to sell legalized marijuana, should that legalization occur. (It was a federal Liberal election promise.) Their argument? "We believe this is an incredible opportunity for British Columbia," Stephanie Smith, president of the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union, said at a press conference. "We have an excellent track record for distributing and retailing alcohol." That track record, they argue, includes the responsible sale of alcohol. Interesting point. But despite all that responsibility at the point of sale, as a nation, we don't always do so well with personal responsibility. [continues 463 words]
Bishop's Falls council determines program unnecessary After reviewing the pros and cons, Bishop's Falls council won't be instituting a drug and alcohol-testing program for employees. "It was just a discussion we held about whether we should we be doing testing like some companies do," said Mayor Bob Hobbs when asked about the decision made at the March council meeting. "It's the Alberta syndrome. All the people that go away are tested and we discussed whether we needed it for the protection of our workers. We did look at and for a whole bunch of reasons it didn't make sense." [continues 130 words]
Grand Falls-Windsor Facility To Take First Patients In June With the new youth treatment centre in Grand Falls-Windsor getting ready to open its doors, Health and Community Services Minister Susan Sullivan was in town Monday to tour the $12.5 million facility and see what it will offer. Divided up into three pods with four bedrooms each, the centre will be able to treat 12 youth at a time. The facility is equipped with several observation and examination rooms as well as bedrooms, kitchen areas, a gymnasium, workout room, art room, and classrooms. [continues 850 words]
Dear Editor: Wherever the Youth Addictions Centre is placed, individuals will have to travel. Does it not make more sense to have the services centrally located to make access more readily available to clients and their family members? Would travel to Grand Falls-Windsor from the western or northern parts of the island not be easier and cheaper than having to travel to the Avalon? Grand Falls-Windsor is a centrally located service area for the island part of Newfoundland. The Exploits Region offers many amenities and is attractive to professionals as it is a wonderful area in which to bring up a young family. Not everyone wants to reside on the Avalon. We need to enhance the already existing professionals and facilities that are currently in central. [continues 314 words]
While legal and illegal drugs are easily obtained by youth in today's society, it's important for parents to minimize the interest by educating their children of the dangers about drugs says RCMP Cpl. Ann Noel. " Many parents do worry about their children, but worrying doesn't do anything," said Cpl. Noel of the Drug and Organized Crime Awareness Services, during a public awareness session last Monday night at Manuel Hall in Springdale. " We have to take action," she said. [continues 712 words]
Sobering Facts About Alcohol, Drugs Turning up the radio, opening the window, nibbling on some bread - all these things won't help increase your awareness if you're driving while tired, drunk or high. These would-be quick fixes - splashing water on your face and taking a quick nap are others - are mistakenly believed to help counter the effects of drugs or alcohol. It's another myth the students in the leadership class at Exploits Valley High are trying to dispel during Impairment Week. [continues 919 words]
SCAN sounds like a new piece of medical technology, but you won't find it in any hospital. And if women's and community groups have their way, they don't want to have it in the provincial legislature either. It stands for the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act or Bill 9. and it recently passed through the second reading of the House of Assembly. But its opponents hope that it doesn't become law in October. Under the proposed act, people can make complaints about residents in their neighbourhoods if they suspect them of illegal activities. The province would then have the power to evict people from their homes. [continues 539 words]
It may be organized by the Calvary Pentecostal Church, but it's not religious-based. It may have "kids" in the title, but the targets are parents. It's not your typical anti-drug program but rather an information session for parents and others involved with youth about drug prevention and intervention. "Drug Proof Your Kids" is a new program, explained co-organizer Craig Cole, who with his youth pastor helped to put together. DPYK originated in Australia and is now offered in some parts of Canada. [continues 418 words]
For the first time ever, heroin has been part of a police drug bust in central Newfoundland. It was found, along with five other drugs, on (redacted), 33, who has been charged with six counts of possession with the purpose of trafficking. "This is significant in that this guy had six different types of drugs on him and the fact that he had heroin on him, which is very uncommon for here," said Constable Doug Hewitt with the general investigation section of the district detachment of the RCMP. [continues 346 words]
When I was in my late teens I lived for a time in a relatively seamy section of Montreal. My landlord, a wannabe jazz saxophonist, used to get together with an overgrown flower child who answered to the name Posey. They would spend most afternoons sitting on a balcony overlooking Rue Guy, puffing on doobies the size of panatelas as they giggled at the world going by. They were the only two people I knew in the world who smoked pot. [continues 628 words]
Information Session Designed To Curb Abuse At Local Level Steps are being taken in Grand Falls-Windsor to curb the use of crystal meth. According to pharmacist Sandra Carey, information is the first step and sharing that knowledge is the purpose behind a public meeting being held in the community Thursday night (March 16) at 7 p.m. in the lecture theatre at the College of the North Atlantic. "People who want to ask questions, or those who wish to see some of the drug issues that users are exposed to are welcome to come to the information session," said Ms. Carey, who will be the presenter for the evening. [continues 368 words]
By the sound of news reports, it's been an interesting year for the RCMP and the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. The two forces had worked for at least a year on a Canada-wide investigation, one that culminated with the busting of a major crime ring. Approximately 20 people in this province were arrested in connection with the dealings of the ring, activities that involved stealing and selling cars, as well as drug trafficking. With the latter, the alleged offenders were trafficking not only marijuana, but steroids and methamphetamine, known on the street as "Ecstasy," a nasty little drug that causes body temperatures to skyrocket, resulting in brain damage. [continues 451 words]
