Sidelined by a workplace injury that left him with chronic back pain and already suffering from fibromyalgia and post-concussion syndrome attributed to years of playing contact sports, Rick Vrecic was taking a cocktail of prescription medication just to make it through the day. About seven years ago, Vrecic relied on as many as five Percocets, 90 mg of morphine and two 80 mg Oxycodone pills daily. It wasn't until after his doctor gave him a prescription for medical marijuana that his life radically improved. [continues 567 words]
Parents may not be able to stop their kids from taking drugs. However, when it comes to whether or not they can influence their children's choices, the answer is yes. That's the philosophy of the Australian-based Focus on the Family, an organization dedicated to strengthening families. Five years ago, it developed a program coined Drugproofing Your Kids in response to the increasing drug problem among young people and the frustrated attempts by parents to steer their children away from substance abuse. [continues 354 words]
Although the number of drug charges laid in Toronto is down 14 per cent since last year residents in the Perth and Symington avenues area say they are still plagued by the problem of cocaine users. Only a small number of community members turned out to a town hall meeting hosted by 11 Division police officers Tuesday night at Bishop Marrocco/Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School, but they came with big complaints. Homeowner James Vail said he is at his wit's end with the drug problem and is ready to move out of the neighbourhood because he is so frustrated by the lack of police response. [continues 494 words]
Toronto director Ron Mann is no stranger to public transportation but never did he imagine he'd take the ride of his life with Oscar nominated actor Woody Harrelson. It all began when Harrelson, who endeared himself to millions of TV viewers as the affable bartender Woody Boyd on the hit sitcom Cheers, and his brothers talked about taking a bike trip together. As the siblings were planning the tour, they decided it would be fun to stop and talk with people along the way about the issues they felt passionate about. [continues 679 words]
