Representatives of residents and businesses in Strathcona are concerned about a proposal to relocate a methadone clinic and pharmacy to their neighbourhood, one block away from an elementary school and near the future library complex. "The children living in this neighbourhood already have a lot to observe and think about," said Joji Kumagai, executive director of the Strathcona Business Improvement Association. "There'd be more purpose to that space if it could include mixed use for the community." Dr. Gary Horvath with Doc-Side Medical at 125 Main St. has applied to the city to relocate the clinic to 678 East Hastings St. In his letter of application, Horvath said the services offered would include a walk-in clinic, primary care and addiction services, such as counselling and psychiatry, infectious disease care and a small pharmacy. Horvath noted in his letter he will recruit family physicians. Horvath wrote that the clinic doctors and staff will abide by the city's Good Neighbour Conditions, which include minimizing loitering, lineups and congregations of people outside the clinic by offering scheduled appointments. [continues 322 words]
What is the problem of asking those whose salaries we pay through our taxes to submit to a drug test? Do we have to pay for their drug habits? Can we trust those who are responsible for our state's business if they are opposed to drug testing? OK, I know, the ACLU says we're infringing on their rights. How about my rights? Don't I have the right to demand that those whose salaries I pay be clean of drugs? [continues 56 words]
Re: If You Want a Spiritual High, Go to Church. In his comments about salvia, S. Klein ignores a number of facts: 1) Prohibition will make salvia more available to kids, not less available. This is a fact as indisputable as the shape of the planet. 2) Sold in stores, the product has some measure of quality control, and the vendors, unlike dealers, refuse to sell it to kids. What happens after it leaves the store is not their problem. 3) Salvia is non-toxic, non-addictive, and not fun enough to be used more than a few times, even by people who liked it. The government basically banned it because it is "fun," not because it poses any real danger to users or society. [continues 189 words]
In opposing the establishment of a desperately needed statewide prescription drug database that would reduce crime and save lives, Gov. Rick Scott has cited misguided, ill-informed and unfounded privacy concerns for patient confidentiality. Yet the governor has no problem calling for mandatory drug tests and random drug screens for as many as 100,000 innocent state workers while invading their privacy at a cost of millions of dollars. The lack of intellectual honesty here is remarkable. Scott's intrusion into the private lives of dedicated state employees with no evidence they are illegally using drugs is wrong, ill conceived and likely unconstitutional. But that didn't stop the governor from issuing an executive order last week requiring all new hires in agencies he controls to be drug tested -- and for current employees to be tested at least four times a year. State agencies already can require employees to be tested when they are suspected of using illegal drugs, so there is no safety issue here. [continues 306 words]
HARRISBURG - With new types of dangerous synthetic drugs quickly appearing on the market, state lawmakers and law enforcement officials face a challenge to keep legislation banning their sale up to date. The House plans a final vote the week of April 4 on a bill to ban the sale of "bath salts," which mimic the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as other synthetic narcotics. This bill is a conglomeration of proposals to add various synthetic narcotics sold in different parts of the state to the list of controlled substances. Once approved, this bill would go to the Senate, which has bills of its own. [continues 358 words]
The marijuana-legalization debate can too quickly become polarized. Guest columnist Roger Roffman argues that both sides need to tone down the rhetoric at look at ways youth can be protected if adult marijuana use becomes legal in Washington state. MARIJUANA is not an entirely harmless substance, as Patti Skelton-McGougan's guest editorial pointed out ["Legalizing marijuana could hurt young people," Opinion, March 3]. Proposals to regulate and legalize its use for adults must include careful planning for how children and adolescents, who are more vulnerable to the risks posed by marijuana use, can best be protected. [continues 563 words]
JUDGE OFFERS TO LET WILLIE NELSON OFF DRUGS JAIL SENTENCE . . . SO LONG AS HE SINGS HER FAVOURITE SONG IN COURT Singer-songwriter and marijuana enthusiast Willie Nelson could have faced a lengthy jail term after he was arrested for possession in November. But perhaps the Texas prosecutor has been smoking some of Willie's special cigarettes, because he has agreed to let the 77-year-old legend avoid prison but only if he gives the court a song. Hudspeth County Attorney Kit Bramblett said: 'I'm gonna let him plead, pay a small fine and he's gotta sing "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" with his guitar right there in the courtroom.' [continues 356 words]
Violent players have sprayed bullets and spilled blood in a real-life and ongoing struggle between Mexico's Gulf Cartel, its erstwhile allies, the Zetas, and the Mexican government. Against this backdrop of violence - which has claimed more than 35,000 lives since December 2006 - the trio has also waged a concerted war for the hearts and minds of the populace. Using public relations tools that include banners, leaflets and releases to the news media, each has sought to cast itself in a more positive light than its enemies. [continues 1450 words]
We're glad to see the state's Compassionate Use Marijuana Act finally taking hold with the designation of six nonprofits to grow and sell what will now be a prescription medicine for patients in debilitating pain. A board member of one of the nonprofits, based in Princeton, spoke with Times Staff Writer Meir Rinde last week. What William Thomas of the Compassionate Care Foundation said should settle any lingering qualms there might be about the no-nonsense system in place to safeguard growing and distribution of the drug. [continues 353 words]
In response to the letter against medical cannabis: It is should be noted that cannabis was one of the most widely used medications prior to it becoming illegal in 1937. Racist bigots who were protecting big industries like forestry for paper production and a newly immerging synthetic fiber market made cannabis and hemp illegal. The letter writer should look into the history of cannabis prohibition before making such outlandish claims such as the "bill has nothing to do with the medical treatment of serious illness." [continues 184 words]
