Driving in this province is a privilege, not a right. Even when you have a driver's licence, for example, you don't have the right to drive while drunk or stoned. That would appear obvious to most B.C. motorists. But there seem too many who believe there's nothing wrong with driving under the influence of drugs. That is why we welcome the new powers that police are being given to nab drug-impaired drivers. As a Province story notes, drivers suspected of being high will be required to perform simple roadside tests. If they fail, they'll be taken to a police station for further testing by a "drug recognition expert." Then, they may have to give blood, urine or saliva samples. It doesn't seem more onerous or invasive than for motorists whom police suspect of being drunk. Those who believe their rights are being violated can always challenge the new law -- or stay home. [end]
It's not only those pills in the bathroom cabinet that could kill your child -- it could also the pot left out after a party, Dr. Anna Jarvis told delegates at the 85th annual conference of the Canadian Pediatric Society in Victoria. "Small children when they're learning to walk, they explore their world with their mouths, and universally small children put things in their mouths," said Jarvis, a University of Toronto pediatrics professor, at the Victoria Conference Centre yesterday. In a plea to encourage parents to secure a wide range of household products, cosmetics and medications, Jarvis said parents "cannot predict what their child will decide to explore." [continues 294 words]
Mecklenburg DA May Have To Examine Hundreds Of Cases In Which Two Accused Police Officers Played A Role. James Hubert Autry Jr. was charged in April with cocaine possession with intent to sell - his seventh felony and fourth drug-related arrest since 1989. He has spent eight of his 46 years in prison. Yet prosecutors may dismiss Autry's case because one of the officers who arrested him faces his own drug charges. Gerald Holas is a former Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer charged this month with conspiring to distribute crack cocaine, along with Jason Ross, another former officer. The FBI accuses the men, who remain in jail, of helping alleged drug dealer David Lockhart avoid police detection and protect his drug activity. [continues 1019 words]
York Police Urge Region To Bring In Bylaw Barring Fortification Of Clubhouses The threat of a looming biker gang power struggle has police across Ontario on high alert as the summer heats up, York Region's top cop says. And with two Hells Angels chapters in his region, he's counting on a bylaw banning fortresses that is being drafted for all nine York municipalities to consider. Rumours persist of an invasion by rival bikers though there have been no signs yet, Chief Armand La Barge said. [continues 458 words]
A controversial energy drink named after a Class A drug and likened to party pills is coming to New Zealand. Cocaine Energy Drink, which contains three-and-a-half times the caffeine of Red Bull, is due to be on the shelves by August. The American product, banned in Texas, is being distributed by Christchurch-based Wize Marketing, which said it would be breaking no Kiwi law. But the move has been criticised by a leading educationist who warned children could get hooked. [continues 405 words]
Searches Continue in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties After Authorities Seize $60 Million in Plants and $160,000 in Cash. SAN FRANCISCO -- Raids this week on a massive commercial marijuana operation with indoor growing facilities and thousands of acres in Northern California's pot belt have netted 10,000 plants worth up to $60 million, $160,000 in cash and 30 firearms, authorities reported Wednesday. A force of 450 officers from numerous agencies Tuesday served dozens of search warrants. Officials said Wednesday they still were searching almost 2,000 acres in Humboldt and Mendocino counties that belonged to the targets of the 2-year-old investigation. [continues 120 words]
Students Learn Skills to Work in Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Like other universities, Oaksterdam offers wide-eyed pupils an enlightening classroom experience to spark their curiosity. But at Oaksterdam, the homework assignments involve baking the perfect pot brownie, the lessons teach students how to greet DEA agents who've just kicked down the front door, and the diploma confers the status: certified budtender. In a squatty building in the shadow of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, marijuana devotees pack classes at the unique trade school that teaches students how to grow and process marijuana, use the drug in baked goods and manage medical-marijuana dispensaries. [continues 797 words]
CONFLICTING reports have emerged over a blast which rang out in the streets of Nimbin yesterday. Locals are claiming the blast emanated from a home-made bomb that was hurled over the fence into the garden at the back of the Sound Lounge about 12.30pm. Wendy Ryan, who ran the Sound Lounge for two years and continues to live next door, said three people were injured by shrapnel flying from the bomb. Ms Ryan said a teenager suffered a cut to the foot, an older man was cut on the thumb by flying shrapnel and a baby sitting near the device when it went off was rushed from the scene by its mother, so Ms Ryan could not say what injuries the child had suffered. [continues 322 words]
A LOCAL man faces two marijuana charges for seizures made before he obtained a federal licence allowing him to grow and possess the drug. And Larry Tallon, 55, may face a third charge for a seizure made after he got the licence. Tallon has been charged for possession and production for the purpose of trafficking from a police bust at his residence Sept. 12, 2007, could be charged after a second police raid March 2008, when he did have his marijuana licence, depending on what prosecutors decide and will answer to charges after being stopped in a check stop outside Prince Rupert in April 2007. [continues 528 words]
