If the Supreme Court of Canada decides Insite, a Vancouver-based health-care facility in the city's downtown eastside, falls under provincial jurisdiction, similar 'safe' injection sites could become a reality in cities across the country. And soon would begin the downward spiral further blurring the lines between right and wrong, legal and illegal in this country. Insite offers, among other things, the option for drug users to shoot up under the watchful eye of a nurse. Forget for a moment the ongoing war on drugs, and forget for a moment that selling drugs is illegal, using drugs is illegal, and there is a facility in existence in this country that not only turns a blind eye to both of these facts. Insite chooses to not only condone the use of injection drugs but offers medical supervision so as to ensure that the users can continue to break the law -- safely. [continues 258 words]
If the Supreme Court of Canada decides Insite, a Vancouver-based health-care facility in the city's downtown eastside, falls under provincial jurisdiction, similar 'safe' injection sites could become a reality in cities across the country. And soon would begin the downward spiral further blurring the lines between right and wrong, legal and illegal in this country. Insite offers, among other things, the option for drug users to shoot up under the watchful eye of a nurse. Forget for a moment the ongoing war on drugs, and forget for a moment that selling drugs is illegal, using drugs is illegal, and there is a facility in existence in this country that not only turns a blind eye to both of these facts. Insite chooses to not only condone the use of injection drugs but offers medical supervision so as to ensure that the users can continue to break the law --safely. [continues 258 words]
I for one support the Conservative Party's decision to criminalize marijuana. Marijuana advocates love to portray their weed as harmless. It is far from it. The combination of toxins, carcinogens and THC compounds lead to a number of health and safety concerns. The medical use of marijuana has had mixed reviews from medical professionals. Truly, how smart is it to introduce more toxins to the grossly compromised immune system of an AIDS patient? Yes, marijuana isn't as harmful as tobacco, but hey, let's ban them both. To expensive to enforce prohibition? Here's a solution: anyone who smokes, forfeits universal health care coverage. All smokers pay their own medical bills. Watch how quickly usage falls - and not one extra police officer is required. Parksville [end]
In response to DARE to compare effectiveness, (The News, Nov. 13), Constable Jeff Scott is to be commended for providing important information to a new generation. What we do with that knowledge is another thing. No institution, including the police, can guarantee that young people will heed warnings wisely or develop healthy attitudes. The same goes for sex education. As for God creating cannabis for the good of mankind, give me a break. Just because all plants were created good, doesn't mean they're good for man. Have you ever heard of the poison berry (holly) or leaf (hemlock) or fungus (mushroom)? John Chambers, Parksville [end]
It's unfortunate that Dr. Stephen Gleason relapsed into substance abuse and surrendered his medical license ("Licensing Board Files Charges Against Gleason," Feb.16). However, it's also unfortunate that it took hitting rock bottom and two years for his license to be surrendered. Where were the state Medical Board and legal authorities? Gleason's history (25 years) and behavior were clearly known to his colleagues, pharmacists, peers -- even the governor's office. The medical profession is a very tight "union" that believes it should police itself. We (the public) don't know if a patient has been maltreated or misdiagnosed. Because these situations are usually handled by insurance companies, internal investigations and out-of-court settlements, they are rarely publicized. If there is a lesson to be learned, it's that professionals -- be they doctors, lawyers and other people we hold in very high regard -- need to be highly scrutinized, thoroughly investigated by impartial experts and, if guilty, severely punished. - -- John Chambers Des Moines [end]
Grow Ops Are On The Rise, But No More So Here Than Elsewhere In Canada Members of the Kawartha Combined Forces Drug Unit continue to uncover multi-million dollar marijuana grow operations throughout the region as part of their annual fall eradication program. Last week, officers uncovered roughly 14,000 plants near Havelock with an estimated street value of $14 million. OPP Detective Constable Neil Brown said the plants were about two weeks away from reaching maturity. "They were approximately three feet tall, so they were probably a couple of weeks away from being on the street," Mr. Brown said. "We figure mature plants are worth about $1,000 each, so this grow op was worth $14 million." [continues 515 words]
