The provincial government has begun to amp its plans for when the federal cannabis legislation comes into effect next year by July 1st. The Alberta Government is currently conducting a survey asking Albertans how they would like to see cannabis use and distribution be implemented in this province. Alberta Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Kathleen Ganley said July 1st, 2018 is an ambitious timeline, however this provincial survey - which has already had over 35,000 respondents - will help provincial legislation reflect the values of Albertans. [continues 626 words]
As the drum group kept beat 44 Grade 6 graduates from Nipisihkopahk Middle School (NMS) walked down the centre aisle to the front of the gym where Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor, Const. Richard Huculiak of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), was waiting to begin the graduation ceremony on Dec. 14. "This is the greatest job in the RCMP," he said. "This program teaches students consequences, gives them confidence and positive things to do and teaches them about their future." [continues 548 words]
Staff Sgt. Ian Sanderson started off his Drug Trends in Alberta presentation with a warning, "this is a frank discussion about drugs and we can't sugar coat it." And he didn't. Throughout the presentation, Sanderson provided details on the appearance and effects of certain types of drugs that have been prevalent in Alberta for the past few years. He started the evening off by crushing a few common misconceptions about substances. He said most people mistakenly believe that marijuana has been legalized in Canada, and that the only thing that changed during a review of Canada's Drug Strategy in 2003 was the way police deal with marijuana offences. Research on the medicinal benefits of marijuana to those suffering with a terminal illness is also patchy, said Sanderson. [continues 921 words]
Central Alberta is not exempt from family violence and now, victims of family violence and illegal drug activity are better protected when two new pieces of provincial legislation became law on Nov. 1. Family violence has devastating consequences on individuals, communities and society as a whole. Significant changes have been made to the Protection Against Family Violence Act to strengthen Alberta's response to this issue and protect even more people - including children -- who experience family violence. The new law adds stalking to the definition of family violence, which will mean emergency protection orders can be issued to protect those who are experiencing this form of abuse from a family member. Alberta is only the second jurisdiction in Canada to include this provision. [continues 412 words]
After a recommendation from the RCMP, town council passed a motion to hire a plainclothes, drug enforcement officer. As part of the Mounties' community plan, members of the local detachment developed methods to target community-specific issues, says Cpl. Glenn De Maere. "One of the major issues is drugs." DeMaere, a member of the Ponoka force for the past two years, says this new position will be a valuable resource because currently general duty members have to divide their time between an assortment of complaints or incidents and don't usually have time to conduct in-depth drug investigations. The new officer's role will deal solely with drug activity, and DeMaere says that's just what the Ponoka detachment needs. [continues 89 words]
Graduation is a momentous time in the lives of most young people. Over 150 Diamond Willow and St. Augustine Grade 6 students have just graduated from a program meant to save their lives. The DARE program stands for drug abuse resistance education. The DARE Program is a ten week course that is taught to the local students by School Resource officer Perry Garrett. If you have young kids in school in Ponoka chances are they know him as "PJ", which they take the opportunity to yell at Garrett any chance they get when they see him out in public. Garrett says the message from DARE is strong but important one. [continues 497 words]
Dear Editor: I'm writing about Jack A. Cole's letter "Legalize marijuana for adults" in the Jan. 21/06 issue of the Ponoka News. In the Czech Republic, citizens can legally grow and possess small quantities of marijuana. The Czech overall drug arrest rate is one per 100,000 population. The U. S. overall drug arrest rate is 585 per 100,000 population. The Czech robbery rate is two per 100,000 population. The U. S. robbery rate is 145.9 per 100,000 population, according to the F. B. I. [continues 113 words]
Dear Editor: Regarding the letter to the editor Regulate 'Gateway' Drug in the Feb. 15 issue of the Ponoka News. As the leader of the world's largest organization of police, judges and other criminal justice professionals who oppose the policy of drug Prohibition, I'd like to echo letter writer Robert Sharpe. Having the criminal justice system as the primary arm of public response to marijuana use is bad policy. The proposed law changes better mirror the common sense approach we use in response to the most addictive and dangerous drugs - alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals. [continues 156 words]
Dear Editor: How should Alberta respond to the growing use of crystal methamphetamine? Here in the United States, New York City chose the zero tolerance approach during the crack epidemic of the eighties. Meanwhile, Washington, DC Mayor Marion Barry was smoking crack and America's capital had the highest per capita murder rate in the nation. Yet crack use declined in both cities simultaneously. The decline was not due to a slick anti-drug advertising campaign or the passage of mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Simply put, the younger generation saw firsthand what crack was doing to their older siblings and decided for themselves that crack was bad news. [continues 170 words]
Dear Editor: Re: 'Prevention key to fighting crystal meth abuse' in the Feb. 1 edition of the Ponoka News. While I appreciate the important contribution of Edmonton RCMP K Division Staff Sgt. Ian Sanderson in informing communities of the dangers of crystal meth, his comment that, "Their chance of recovering is pretty much zero" leaves much to be desired. As a treatment provider here in British Columbia, your readers should be assured that it is not hopeless for those that are already addicted to crystal meth. [continues 98 words]
Crystal meth is coming to a location near you and Edmonton K Division Staff Sgt. Ian Sanderson wants Ponoka residents to be prepared. "It's around. We have seizures on Highway 2. Don't think you're an island unto yourself. That would be a very bad mistake." "When it shows up the crime rate goes through the roof, violent crime, auto theft and identity theft," he added. "(Abusers) are very psychotic. They don't like police or authority figures. You will see a lot of violence. They are very aggressive." [continues 721 words]
More than 100 people packed into the Kinsmen Community Centre Monday night to listen to Staff Sgt. Ian Sanderson from Edmonton K Division give a talk on drug abuse and in particular, crystal meth expected to hit the community soon. By the response, it is clear many Ponoka residents don't have their heads buried in the sand and are willing and ready to deal with a potential problem by taking preventative measures. If parents discover their children are abusing drugs there are a number of things they can do. Most experts advise it is important not to overreact. [continues 625 words]
Drug sellers are on Ponoka streets peddling crystal meth but RCMP are cracking down and aiming to educate local parents. "Kids seem to be getting hooked on it and we want to make parents aware of what signs to look for," said Cst. Chris Konig. The drug is so addictive that over 90 per cent of its first time users are hooked says Konig. "Once you do it you're strapped. The majority of first time users are hooked and it leads to death it's that bad of a drug. [continues 248 words]
A Hobbema man was one of eight individuals to receive the Alberta Solicitor General Crime Prevention Award last month in Calgary for helping to build stronger and safer communities. Lawrence Saddleback, a newly elected Samson Band councilor, was recognized for his work with inmates and community members. He worked for seven years as cultural advisor for Samson Justice. Saddleback says the recognition "really boosts our community." But he adds that the community cannot address the problems alone plaguing the four Bands, such as gang violence and drugs. [continues 67 words]
