A World War Two veteran who endured the Nazi invasion of his homeland says Canada's Supreme Court got it right when it ruled random school drug searches violate privacy rights. Sarnia resident Corey Degroot said once you give police powers to conduct random searches in schools, it leads down a slippery slope. "That's how it started in 1933 Germany," said Degroot. "Then you have sort of a police state." Opinion has been divided since the Supreme Court of Canada ruled last week on two cases, including whether a Nov. 7, 2002 random police search at St. Patrick's High School in Sarnia was unreasonable. [continues 281 words]
Canada's Top Court Says A Random High-School Search For Drugs In Sarnia Was Unlawful And Breached Charter Rights. In A Precedent-Setting Decision With National Implications, The Supreme Court Of Canada Ruled 6-3 Friday That A Nov. 7, 2002 Search By Sarnia Police Was Unreasonable And Unjustified. Students At St. Patrick's High School Were Confined To Their Classrooms For About Two Hours As Police Officers, With The Aid Of A Drug-Sniffing Dog, Located 10 Bags Of Marijuana And 10 Magic Mushrooms In A Student's Backpack. [continues 445 words]
The head of the local Catholic school board said the Supreme Court of Canada got it right when it ruled Friday that a random drug search at a Sarnia high school was unlawful. "You have to look at the larger issue regarding the individual rights of society . . . Their privacy (was) infringed on," Paul Wubben said after the top court ruled on the legitimacy of a police search at St. Patrick's high school. In a decision with far-reaching implications, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled 6-3 to uphold a lower court decision that found the Nov. 7, 2002 search unlawful. [continues 346 words]
MPP Di Cocco Cites Observer Drug Story The plight of a local drug addict featured in The Observer has caught the attention of the provincial government, which is pledging more money for treatment services. Sarnia-Lambton MPP Caroline Di Cocco said Friday a two-part series titled To Hell and Back has struck a chord with her government. The feature, which detailed the struggles of Jeff Christie trying to break an addiction to crystal methamphetamine was a wake-up call, she said. [continues 377 words]
One Mans's Battle With Crystal Meth Addiction Help, Now! It's 3 a.m. on a cold April morning and Jeff Christie has nowhere to go. He huddles under a large oak tree near Sarnia's Hanna Memorial School. The voices in his head won't stop. "You're a loser." "You've put your family through hell." "You've hurt everyone that loves you." "This is why I stay high," he says to himself. It's easier to be a speedo than face reality. [continues 3864 words]
Local residents see substance abuse as a growing problem, a community survey by Lambton OPP has found. The 21-page report ranked substance abuse as a more serious problem now than previous surveys in 2001 and 2003. Hundreds of respondents rated drug abuse as the most serious issue facing community security. Alcohol abuse was second, followed by property crime and nuisance activities. "Our numbers indicate there is a problem," said Lambton OPP Const. John Reurink. So far this year, Lambton OPP officers have charged 81 drivers with impaired driving. Last year at this time, there were 86 charges, while in 2005 it was 52. [continues 175 words]
Think crystal meth is a West Coast problem? Think again, says RCMP Cpl. Brent Hill. Since 2006, the RCMP has busted six large crystal methamphetamine labs in Ontario controlled by organized crime. "Crystal meth is present in the Sarnia area," he said. Don't just take Hill's word for it. Const. Mel Wright, a longtime officer with the Sarnia police, said "we do have a significant meth population here in Sarnia." The drug is growing in popularity and production, Hill said during a seminar last night at the Sarnia Library called, Crystal Meth: Why Risk It? [continues 294 words]
Only Six Per Cent Of Users Are Able To Beat Addiction POINT EDWARD - There are a lot of harsh realities about crystal meth abuse, including the fact it's not just a big city problem. That's why the Point Edward Police Services Board is inviting everyone to attend the upcoming information session, "Crystal Meth: The Realities," on Jan. 31. "Meth use is a growing problem," said meeting chairperson and Point Edward OPP Sgt. John Flesher. The presentation will feature Karen Lallean, a Walpole Island prevention and education worker. [continues 247 words]
We're One Of World's Top Producers Of Illicit Drugs Canada is getting a world reputation that has nothing to do with promoting peace or politeness. While South American nations were once known as the world's biggest source countries for illegal drugs, Canada is quickly shooting up, says RCMP Cpl. Brent Hill, head of the National Chemical Diversion Program. Speaking to the Bluewater Emergency Care Conference recently, Hill said clandestine drug laboratories are popping up all over the place and no city or town is immune, including Sarnia. [continues 400 words]
Smugglers, Drug Pushers Are Targeted A joint marine security force is hoping to close the flood gates on smugglers, drug pushers and organized criminals who have been thriving on local waterways. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) will man the four-vessel joint marine patrols, two of which will focus primarily on the Detroit River -- St. Clair River region. "This is the area of greatest concern in terms of organized crime . . . that's the major choke point," said the coast guard's Lawrence Swift. "Whenever you have a border close . . . the smuggling of goods and even people is something that is of concern." [continues 362 words]
