Organizers of the Sensible BC cannabis initiative petition were admitting defeat a few days ahead of the Dec. 9 deadline to get signatures in to Elections B.C. The B.C. initiative petition would amend provincial rules to limit police enforcement of marijuana laws. Referendum campaign organizer Dana Larsen said they only had about 220,000 signatures, short of the 400,000 needed. When contacted on Dec. 10, an Elections BC spokesperson said that since the initiative petition has failed, they will not be releasing the number of signatures collected on a riding-by-riding basis. Although the proponent may claim a certain number, some are likely to be disqualified because those who signed were not eligible. One requirement is to be a registered voter in the riding, for example. The Elections BC spokesperson said media outlets won't have access to independently-verified petition numbers and would have to rely on the numbers provided by the proponents. [continues 429 words]
Editor's note: This story appeared in our July 17, 2013 print issue in conjunction with the main story about a B.C. cannabis decriminalization referendum initiative. Please see that story first for details about the initiative. Dana Larsen sported an untucked, wrinkly dress-casual shirt, khakis and leather sandals for our meeting at the Revelstoke Sandman Inn on Sunday. He looked a little worn from the campaigning, which included searching for local referendum supporters at the River City Pub the night before. [continues 230 words]
The City of Revelstoke has chosen April 20 to unveil their new staff policy that explicitly states staff can't take nips from a mickey or sneak hits from a bong while at work. The new "Personnel Drug and Alcohol Policy" forbids drug and alcohol use while at work and outlines several policies that will affect staff even in their off-time. A report attached to the policy says it came about because of a general policy review. "The absence of a drug and alcohol policy has been identified as an issue," writes city finance director Graham Inglis in a report attached to the policy. [continues 245 words]
Many in Revelstoke likely watched The Fifth Estate episode on Friday evening titled 'Over the Edge' which explored the tragic tale of the death of drug smuggler and Revelstoke resident Sam Brown. The portrayal was the second one by a major national media outlet, the first being a long feature story in Rolling Stone magazine a couple of months ago entitled 'Death of a Freerider.' Adding to that, Canadian actor, director and producer Jason Priestley of 90210 fame optioned the rights to the Rolling Stone story last week, meaning the tale could be made into a feature-length film. [continues 754 words]
Seven Canadian men and one American man are facing smuggling-related charges after the RCMP and U.S. DEA have disrupted a major marijuana-for-cocaine smuggling ring with links to the Malakwa area. The operation, which involved multiple Canadian and U.S. law enforcement agencies, was named Operation Blade Runner. The RCMP say they have seized two helicopters, 83 kilograms of cocaine, 340 kilograms of marijuana and 9 pounds of ecstasy. The RCMP say the investigation started after Utah police seized 87 kilograms of cocaine and arrested one Canadian and one American man during a traffic stop on an unspecified date. Police say as a result of that stop investigators targeted a remote site near Colville, Washington. [continues 639 words]
Faith Louis-Adams has been hired as the new Youth Addictions Counsellor for Nakusp & Area, including New Denver. She is employed by Freedom Quest, a regional youth services provider, and is based in an office in the Arrow & Slocan Lakes Community Services building in Nakusp. Her services and the programs provided by Freedom Quest are available to young people aged 19 and under who are experiencing or have been impacted in their lives by addictions issues or have difficulties in their lives due to alcohol and/or drug abuse or misuse and who what to make change in their lives. [continues 340 words]
The ugly scourge that is crystal meth has yet to surface in Nakusp and area according to local and regional social workers and addictions counselors. Let's hope it remains that way, since according to those involved in seeking to help those who become hooked on the highly addictive and destructive drug say that there is limited success in treating an addiction. They focus their efforts on education and prevention before the drug takes over the users life -- often hooking them for good on the first or second use. [continues 689 words]
