'Never been a war on drugs, not even close'
Drugs are still too easy to obtain in Vancouver
By Jon Ferry, The Province, August 17, 2012
Vancouver may be the world's third-most-livable city, according to the latest Economist magazine survey, but it sure has one helluva drug problem.
That's not news to those who've come to know the seedy underbelly of our spaced-out port city. It's been like that for years.
So the finding by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS that buying illegal drugs in downtown Vancouver is as easy as going to the nearest supermarket is no surprise either.
Most younger and older drug users surveyed in the centre's latest, taxpayer-funded study said they could obtain everything from heroin and crack cocaine to crystal meth and pot within minutes — 10 minutes, to be precise.
"Perhaps most concerning is the ready availability of drugs that are injected," noted the researchers, who hail from Vancouver and Boston.
Talk about stating the obvious. The open market for drugs in downtown Vancouver, and the horrific social problems it causes, has been a public concern for years.
The question is what to do about it. And the inference in this study — published in the American Journal on Addictions and based on user responses from 2007 — is that the American-style war on drugs, with its emphasis on drug-law enforcement, has been an abject failure.
Indeed, it's clear the drug policy advocated instead by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS itself is "harm reduction," focusing on everything from safe-injection sites to drug legalization.
This is, in fact, the politically correct approach that's been in vogue in Vancouver's drug-riddled downtown for years — without apparent effect. And study co-author Dr. Evan Wood, a Vancouver physician, is an eloquent champion of it.
"Despite enormous taxpayer investments in enforcing laws aimed at reducing the supply of illegal drugs, Canada's streets remain awash in heroin and cocaine," he stated recently in the National Post.
"Meanwhile, designer drugs such as ecstasy are becoming more readily available to young people than alcohol and tobacco. The war on drugs, like all expensive government programs, should be subject to scrutiny and a value-for-money audit. However, so far, it has been remarkably exempt from accountability."
It could equally well be argued, however, that the main reason why the illegal drug trade continues to flourish in the Lower Mainland like a foul-smelling weed is not because of too much law enforcement, but too little.
The B.C. justice system is notoriously soft on drugs and drug offenders, as at least one sentencing study has shown.
Just ask former Lower Mainland RCMP officer Chuck Doucette, president of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada: "There's never been a war on drugs in Canada, not even close."
It could also be argued that the laissez-faire attitude of our civic leaders toward the government-funded Downtown Eastside drug ghetto has done as least as much to turn troubled/homeless teens into hard-core addicts as have any overzealous police drug crackdowns.
Besides, as former Downtown Eastside beat cop Al Arsenault pointed out Thursday, Vancouver should not be setting drug policy: "Whatever we're doing here is not working."
Maybe Wood and his research team should be studying those cities around the world where it is.
jferry@theprovince.com
http://www.canada.com/health/Never+been+drugs+even+close/7104815/story.html
6/28/12
Marijuana worsens mental conditions of people with mental issues
Tests in cannibalism case: Zombie-like attacker used pot, not 'bath salts'
By Michael Martinez, CNN, June 27, 2012
(CNN) -- The naked Florida man who chewed off the face of another man last month in a zombie-like cannibal attack used marijuana but not "bath salts" as police had suspected, authorities said Wednesday.
Rudy Eugene, 31, was killed by a police officer after Eugene's 18-minute attack on a homeless man. His body didn't show "any other street drugs, alcohol or prescription drugs, or any adulterants found in street drugs," according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department.
"The department has also sought the assistance of an outside forensic toxicology reference laboratory, which has confirmed the absence of 'bath salts,' synthetic marijuana and LSD," the statement said.
A video of last month's incident shows Eugene coming across 65-year-old Ronald Poppo on a sidewalk along Miami's MacArthur Causeway, stripping clothes off him and eventually chewing on his face. Police said Poppo lost 75% of his face in the attack.
Armando Aguilar, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told CNN affiliate WPLG last month that he suspected Eugene was under the influence of "bath salts," a drug that contains synthetic stimulants that can "cause chest pains, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions," according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Eugene's mother said last month that her son was "a nice kid" who could have been subdued with a Taser rather than gunfire.
"He was a good kid. He gave me a nice card on Mother's Day. Everyone says he was a zombie. He was no zombie. That was my son," the mother, who asked that her name not be revealed, told CNN affiliate WFOR.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/27/us/florida-cannibal-attack/index.html
Related news:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/327517
By Michael Martinez, CNN, June 27, 2012
(CNN) -- The naked Florida man who chewed off the face of another man last month in a zombie-like cannibal attack used marijuana but not "bath salts" as police had suspected, authorities said Wednesday.
Rudy Eugene, 31, was killed by a police officer after Eugene's 18-minute attack on a homeless man. His body didn't show "any other street drugs, alcohol or prescription drugs, or any adulterants found in street drugs," according to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department.
"The department has also sought the assistance of an outside forensic toxicology reference laboratory, which has confirmed the absence of 'bath salts,' synthetic marijuana and LSD," the statement said.
A video of last month's incident shows Eugene coming across 65-year-old Ronald Poppo on a sidewalk along Miami's MacArthur Causeway, stripping clothes off him and eventually chewing on his face. Police said Poppo lost 75% of his face in the attack.
Armando Aguilar, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, told CNN affiliate WPLG last month that he suspected Eugene was under the influence of "bath salts," a drug that contains synthetic stimulants that can "cause chest pains, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, agitation, hallucinations, extreme paranoia and delusions," according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse.
Eugene's mother said last month that her son was "a nice kid" who could have been subdued with a Taser rather than gunfire.
"He was a good kid. He gave me a nice card on Mother's Day. Everyone says he was a zombie. He was no zombie. That was my son," the mother, who asked that her name not be revealed, told CNN affiliate WFOR.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/27/us/florida-cannibal-attack/index.html
Related news:
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/327517
6/21/12
Against the "harm reduction" ideology
McMartin: Can David Berner reduce harm reduction?
By Pete McMartin, Vancouver Sun, June 20, 2012
David Berner is 69, and still swimming upstream. One of these days, the current may turn in his favour.
It hasn’t yet. It won’t soon. But Berner, whose resumé includes actor, talk show host and drug addiction counsellor, has never wavered from his belief:
He is vehemently against the prevailing practice of harm reduction.
Not only does he not see it reducing harm, he believes it encourages and nourishes drug addiction.
“There’s a giant emperor’s new clothes,” Berner said, “and it’s called ‘harm reduction.’ And it not only has political sway these days, it’s pretty well the accepted wisdom of our time. It’s taught in universities, and governments all over the world sing to this tune...
By Pete McMartin, Vancouver Sun, June 20, 2012
David Berner is 69, and still swimming upstream. One of these days, the current may turn in his favour.
It hasn’t yet. It won’t soon. But Berner, whose resumé includes actor, talk show host and drug addiction counsellor, has never wavered from his belief:
He is vehemently against the prevailing practice of harm reduction.
Not only does he not see it reducing harm, he believes it encourages and nourishes drug addiction.
“There’s a giant emperor’s new clothes,” Berner said, “and it’s called ‘harm reduction.’ And it not only has political sway these days, it’s pretty well the accepted wisdom of our time. It’s taught in universities, and governments all over the world sing to this tune...
Columnist is deep on harms of pot---but superficial on pro-legalization
Casual attitude toward pot could be lethal
New study highlights ill-effects of marijuana use
By Jon Ferry, The Province, June 13, 2012
Last month I agreed with Vancouver pot activist Marc Emery that we needed to end drug prohibition in North America, if only because I couldn't imagine legalizing and regulating drugs would create more misery than banning them.
I also said I didn't view pot as harmless as drug crusaders like Emery, currently serving five years in a Mississippi jail on a marijuana rap, would have you believe.
Now, a major new report by the British Lung Foundation, based on a raft of medical studies, supports my view.
It warns that smoking marijuana is not only hazardous to the lungs, it can also cause everything from tuberculosis to Legionnaires' disease. It says there's stronger evidence than ever linking it to lung cancer...
New study highlights ill-effects of marijuana use
By Jon Ferry, The Province, June 13, 2012
Last month I agreed with Vancouver pot activist Marc Emery that we needed to end drug prohibition in North America, if only because I couldn't imagine legalizing and regulating drugs would create more misery than banning them.
I also said I didn't view pot as harmless as drug crusaders like Emery, currently serving five years in a Mississippi jail on a marijuana rap, would have you believe.
Now, a major new report by the British Lung Foundation, based on a raft of medical studies, supports my view.
It warns that smoking marijuana is not only hazardous to the lungs, it can also cause everything from tuberculosis to Legionnaires' disease. It says there's stronger evidence than ever linking it to lung cancer...
2/17/12
Vancouver gov't keeps funding pro-drug group to maintain and encourage drug addictions
Vancouver pro-drug lobby doesn’t deserve taxpayer dollars
VANDU gets $250,000 from province, $20,000 from city hall
By Mark Hasiuk, Vancouver Courier, February 13, 2012
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
That’s how much Vancouver Coastal Health, your public health authority, gave VANDU, the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, last year. This year, according to VCH officials, VANDU will receive another $250,000 from taxpayers, continuing a provincial funding scheme established in 1999.
Most Vancouverites don’t know VANDU. Headquartered in a brick building at 380 East Hastings in the Downtown Eastside, it’s a non-profit hangout conforming to neighbourhood drug culture. Folks gather outside on the sidewalk and inside the lobby. Traffic seems to have increased since December when VANDU began distributing free crack pipes to addicts, part of a VCH crack pipe giveaway. But mainly, thanks to longtime leader Ann Livingston, VANDU exists for activism...
VANDU gets $250,000 from province, $20,000 from city hall
By Mark Hasiuk, Vancouver Courier, February 13, 2012
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
That’s how much Vancouver Coastal Health, your public health authority, gave VANDU, the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, last year. This year, according to VCH officials, VANDU will receive another $250,000 from taxpayers, continuing a provincial funding scheme established in 1999.
Most Vancouverites don’t know VANDU. Headquartered in a brick building at 380 East Hastings in the Downtown Eastside, it’s a non-profit hangout conforming to neighbourhood drug culture. Folks gather outside on the sidewalk and inside the lobby. Traffic seems to have increased since December when VANDU began distributing free crack pipes to addicts, part of a VCH crack pipe giveaway. But mainly, thanks to longtime leader Ann Livingston, VANDU exists for activism...
2/12/12
"Harmless pot" propaganda crash again
Weed Doubles the Risk of Causing Serious and Fatal Car Crashes
Cannabis twice as likely to cause road smash, British Medical Journal (BMJ) finds
Pot smoking doubles risk of crash: study
( It is clear that pro-pot advocates, addicts and legalization supporters are willing to accept many INEVITABLE, ADDITIONAL deaths from vehicle accidents due to pot use, as a PRICE of legalization--in order to satisfy the pot cravings of some. It's just "collateral damages". No big deal. Pot smokers' happiness is more important than a few thousand additional accident deaths per year in the future )
Cannabis twice as likely to cause road smash, British Medical Journal (BMJ) finds
Pot smoking doubles risk of crash: study
( It is clear that pro-pot advocates, addicts and legalization supporters are willing to accept many INEVITABLE, ADDITIONAL deaths from vehicle accidents due to pot use, as a PRICE of legalization--in order to satisfy the pot cravings of some. It's just "collateral damages". No big deal. Pot smokers' happiness is more important than a few thousand additional accident deaths per year in the future )
1/25/12
"Harm reduction" term used to disguise today's 19th century-style drug dens
(The following letter appeared in the letter section of The Province newspaper)
Forget harm reduction, let's have dope reduction instead
By G. Phillip Braun, The Province January 22, 2012
Dr. Anthony Ocana's recent letter to the editor is indicative of the liberal view of drug addiction in this city by a select list of special-interest groups that is turning us into a haven for crack addicts, heroin addicts and other socially destructive behaviours. I am tired of it.
Firstly, Dr. Ocana should under-stand that the media are sup-posed to provide a balanced view of issues. I guess editorialists are now no longer allowed to express opinions in Vancouver, in particular around socially critical issues like drugs because we wouldn't want to upset people like him.
I always find the so called expert's choice of the words "harm reduction" pathetic when it comes to these programs. Harm reduction? How about some dope reduction!
Secondly, I thank him for his explanation of "fundamentals of neurobiology" for those of us who "don't understand addiction". Sounds like all of us in this town are stupid and Dr. Ocana has all the answers. Every time someone criticizes or has an opposing view of Insite or any of the other drug/ alcohol related harm-reduction programs in town we get branded as unaware, ignorant or need to be better educated on drug/alcohol addiction by people like him.
Frankly, I can do without Dr. Oca-na's form of education. We have ideas and solutions, but, suggesting anything that isn't providing a place to shoot up, provide a crack pipe, free alcohol or explain how it's better to snort heroin instead of injecting it is likely going to be viewed as a suggestion from the "uninformed."
Finally, I find his comparison of a cancer patient to a drug addict an insult. How can he conclude a child with any form of cancer is no different from some crack addict?
Our city and provincial leaders need to start listening to the silent majority. I am sick of the drugs, their effects and the direction the city is taking relative to their bogus harm-reduction programs. Harm reduction is some theorist's view of a utopian response to people who simply don't want to be responsible for their actions.
G. Phillip Braun, Vancouver
http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=c702c015-9962-4106-a142-1ded1a3969a5
Forget harm reduction, let's have dope reduction instead
By G. Phillip Braun, The Province January 22, 2012
Dr. Anthony Ocana's recent letter to the editor is indicative of the liberal view of drug addiction in this city by a select list of special-interest groups that is turning us into a haven for crack addicts, heroin addicts and other socially destructive behaviours. I am tired of it.
Firstly, Dr. Ocana should under-stand that the media are sup-posed to provide a balanced view of issues. I guess editorialists are now no longer allowed to express opinions in Vancouver, in particular around socially critical issues like drugs because we wouldn't want to upset people like him.
I always find the so called expert's choice of the words "harm reduction" pathetic when it comes to these programs. Harm reduction? How about some dope reduction!
Secondly, I thank him for his explanation of "fundamentals of neurobiology" for those of us who "don't understand addiction". Sounds like all of us in this town are stupid and Dr. Ocana has all the answers. Every time someone criticizes or has an opposing view of Insite or any of the other drug/ alcohol related harm-reduction programs in town we get branded as unaware, ignorant or need to be better educated on drug/alcohol addiction by people like him.
Frankly, I can do without Dr. Oca-na's form of education. We have ideas and solutions, but, suggesting anything that isn't providing a place to shoot up, provide a crack pipe, free alcohol or explain how it's better to snort heroin instead of injecting it is likely going to be viewed as a suggestion from the "uninformed."
Finally, I find his comparison of a cancer patient to a drug addict an insult. How can he conclude a child with any form of cancer is no different from some crack addict?
Our city and provincial leaders need to start listening to the silent majority. I am sick of the drugs, their effects and the direction the city is taking relative to their bogus harm-reduction programs. Harm reduction is some theorist's view of a utopian response to people who simply don't want to be responsible for their actions.
G. Phillip Braun, Vancouver
http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=c702c015-9962-4106-a142-1ded1a3969a5
1/11/12
Crack pipe giveaway drapes Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
Crack pipe giveaway drapes Vancouver's Downtown Eastside
VCH spends $60,000 on 60,000 pipes
By Mark Hasiuk, Vancouver Courier, January 9, 2012
In the Downtown Eastside, crack cocaine is king. As the neighbourhood's most popular drug, it's used solely or with other drugs such as heroin or methadone. It's a symptom and cause of widespread misery.
All along Hasting Street, a gauntlet of crack dealers flog their wares. "Rock." "Base." "Best rock right here." According to locals, quality varies depending on the dealer and the price. A typical crack "rock" sells for $10. "But most of it's shit," said Allan Diplock, a short, fidgety 42-year-old with thick bifocals whom I met last Friday morning. Standing on a rain-soaked East Hastings street corner, Diplock represents the target demographic for the provincial government's latest harm reduction experiment in the Downtown Eastside.
VCH spends $60,000 on 60,000 pipes
By Mark Hasiuk, Vancouver Courier, January 9, 2012
In the Downtown Eastside, crack cocaine is king. As the neighbourhood's most popular drug, it's used solely or with other drugs such as heroin or methadone. It's a symptom and cause of widespread misery.
All along Hasting Street, a gauntlet of crack dealers flog their wares. "Rock." "Base." "Best rock right here." According to locals, quality varies depending on the dealer and the price. A typical crack "rock" sells for $10. "But most of it's shit," said Allan Diplock, a short, fidgety 42-year-old with thick bifocals whom I met last Friday morning. Standing on a rain-soaked East Hastings street corner, Diplock represents the target demographic for the provincial government's latest harm reduction experiment in the Downtown Eastside.
Vancouver's legalized drug den "Insite" breeds more and more drug addicts
Below are several letters that were published in a newspaper regarding Insite:
(Poster's note: "Insite" is a Vancouver gov't storefront facility where drug addicts go to freely shoot heroin and cracks, protected from the laws by order of the court. There is no encouragement to get them off their addictions)
Insite is failing
By Jan Van Vugt, The Province, January 11, 2012
If the safe-injection site is growing and needs more capacity, it is a sign of failure.
The goal of any drug program should be to reduce harm and help addicts overcome their demons and become productive members of society. This organization seems to enable the growth of the addicted population in B.C.
A success in this type of business would be a reduction in the need for its services.
Jan van Vugt, Abbotsford
http://www.theprovince.com/Insite+failing/5977312/story.html
(Poster's note: "Insite" is a Vancouver gov't storefront facility where drug addicts go to freely shoot heroin and cracks, protected from the laws by order of the court. There is no encouragement to get them off their addictions)
Insite is failing
By Jan Van Vugt, The Province, January 11, 2012
If the safe-injection site is growing and needs more capacity, it is a sign of failure.
The goal of any drug program should be to reduce harm and help addicts overcome their demons and become productive members of society. This organization seems to enable the growth of the addicted population in B.C.
A success in this type of business would be a reduction in the need for its services.
Jan van Vugt, Abbotsford
http://www.theprovince.com/Insite+failing/5977312/story.html
1/9/12
Vancouver health/civil authorities become pimps to drug addicts
(Below are two letters to a newspaper about the Vancouver gov'ts' distribution of free crackpipes to addicts)
'Safety' helps addiction
By Rob Haan, The Province, January 5, 2012
I know a couple of people who have kicked crack and are now productive members of society. I can say for sure, though, they did not accomplish this because someone was handing them free pipes.
Having an environment where addicts are "safer" in their addiction only helps them to stay addicted.
If we make it easy to be a crack-head, what's the motivation to quit?
"Harm reduction" is a joke. Put the money into helping people quit, not helping them to continue.
Giving addicts drugs so they won't have to steal to get them makes as much sense as giving a shoplifter free stuff to get them to stop shoplifting.
Rob Haan, Chilliwack
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/letters/Safety+helps+addiction/5949535/story.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Uncaring government
By Sharon Lamont, The Province, January 5, 2012
I think handing out crack pipes to addicts in the Downtown Eastside is just another slap in the face for us taxpayers, not to mention the addicts themselves.
The people down there are sick from a variety of addictions, so should we start handing out free pot or heroin?
Why on earth does the government feel it's their responsibility to keep these people sick? If they gave a damn, they would spend our money on something that would help these people get their hope and dignity back.
Our government talks about how it wants to help the poor and addicted. But they never find the time to do anything, which makes me believe they don't really care.
Sharon Lamont, Surrey
http://www.theprovince.com/Uncaring+government/5949538/story.html
'Safety' helps addiction
By Rob Haan, The Province, January 5, 2012
I know a couple of people who have kicked crack and are now productive members of society. I can say for sure, though, they did not accomplish this because someone was handing them free pipes.
Having an environment where addicts are "safer" in their addiction only helps them to stay addicted.
If we make it easy to be a crack-head, what's the motivation to quit?
"Harm reduction" is a joke. Put the money into helping people quit, not helping them to continue.
Giving addicts drugs so they won't have to steal to get them makes as much sense as giving a shoplifter free stuff to get them to stop shoplifting.
Rob Haan, Chilliwack
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/letters/Safety+helps+addiction/5949535/story.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Uncaring government
By Sharon Lamont, The Province, January 5, 2012
I think handing out crack pipes to addicts in the Downtown Eastside is just another slap in the face for us taxpayers, not to mention the addicts themselves.
The people down there are sick from a variety of addictions, so should we start handing out free pot or heroin?
Why on earth does the government feel it's their responsibility to keep these people sick? If they gave a damn, they would spend our money on something that would help these people get their hope and dignity back.
Our government talks about how it wants to help the poor and addicted. But they never find the time to do anything, which makes me believe they don't really care.
Sharon Lamont, Surrey
http://www.theprovince.com/Uncaring+government/5949538/story.html
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