drug

Saturday April 29, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday April 29, 2017

Proposed: Publicly funded drug plan for all Ontarians under 25

Give one cheer for the Liberals. Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario government has finally bit the bullet on publicly funded pharmacare.

February 24, 2017

Their scheme to provide those under 25 with free prescription drugs isn’t comprehensive. Nor, in spite of Finance Minister Charles Sousa’s boast, is it exactly path-breaking.

Saskatchewan already offers a similar, albeit less generous, drug plan to children 14 and under.

But it is a start.

The plan, announced in Thursday’s budget, would allow any Ontarian age 24 and under who needs prescription drugs for medical purposes to receive them at no cost.

March 10, 2017

Unlike the province’s drug plan for seniors, there would be no co-payment and no deductible. Unlike the drug plan for welfare recipients, there would be no means test.

Rather, like medicare, it would be universally available and cover the entire cost of roughly 4,400 drugs.

Experts can argue whether the Liberal pharmacare plan is better or worse than that pitched by Andrea Horwath’s Ontario New Democrats. The NDP proposes a scheme that would cover everyone under 65 but only for 125 commonly prescribed drugs.

But the Liberals have the advantage of being in power right now. If they follow through on their promise, their truncated pharmacare plan will come into effect next January.

March 8, 2016

For these reasons, any move toward universal publicly funded pharmacare is welcome and probably irreversible. Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown told reporters Thursday that he would prefer a scheme that is means-tested. But Ontario already has a drug benefit program for the poor.

What is useful about this scheme is precisely what Brown doesn’t like about it: It is a step on the road to universal pharmacare.

Sousa told reporters that he hopes Ontario’s move will persuade Ottawa and other provinces to act. Perhaps it will. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

Friday September 16, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday September 16, 2016 Health Canada plans to restrict fentanyl chemicals Health Canada plans to restrict six chemicals used to make fentanylÊas part of OttawaÕs attempt to address what it calls the national opioid crisis. Health Minister Jane Philpott says a bill brought in by Sen. Vern White means the federal government can act quickly to make the unauthorized import and export of the chemicals illegal. In a news release, Health Canada says its regulatory proposal expeditiously achieves the intent of WhiteÕs bill. Philpott says she is also planning a summit to take place this fall to address the opioid crisis. In British Columbia, a joint task force examining the drug overdose crisis used International Overdose Awareness Day to highlight steps the province is taking on opioid overdoses. Leaders of the task force, the provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, and the director of police services, Clayton Pecknold, say long-term and first-time users are affected equally, and no one who tries illicit drugs is safe. Kendall and Pecknold say certain steps can reduce the chance of an overdose, and they are using the international awareness day as a platform to launch the first phase of B.C.Õs fight against drug deaths. They point to a new testing service to help users determine if their drugs contain potentially deadly contaminants such as fentanyl.(Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/08/31/health-canada-plans-to-restrict-fentanyl-chemicals.html Canada, Justin Trudeau, marijuana, drug, legalization, fentanyl, Ottawa, criminal, opiate

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday September 16, 2016

Health Canada plans to restrict fentanyl chemicals

Health Canada plans to restrict six chemicals used to make fentanyl as part of Ottawa’s attempt to address what it calls the national opioid crisis.

Health Minister Jane Philpott says a bill brought in by Sen. Vern White means the federal government can act quickly to make the unauthorized import and export of the chemicals illegal.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday May 11, 2016 Jean Chretien says criminal records for pot possession 'completely unacceptable' Jean ChrŽtien says politicians have to adjust to changing times, as his own views on marijuana, capital punishment and other contentious issues evolved after he was first elected in the early 1960s. Whether it's pot smoking, abortion, gay marriage or the death penalty, the former prime minister says he's tried to reflect the spirit of the times Ñ even if his changing politics put him in conflict with his conservative upbringing in a large, Roman Catholic family in rural Quebec. "What were certain values 50 years ago, are not the same today. We have to live with that. It's not always easy," he said. When asked Monday about Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to legalize the sale of marijuana, ChrŽtien said he is in favour of decriminalization. "What is completely unacceptable, in my judgment, is a young man smoking marijuana will have a criminal record for the rest of his life, (and) he can't cross the border Ñ come on," ChrŽtien said after a ceremony marking the official opening of a public policy think-tank at Dalhousie University in Halifax. "It is the modern thing to do ... You have to adjust to the new life.Ó When ChrŽtien was prime minister, his government tried in 2003 to pass a law decriminalizing simple possession of small amounts of marijuana, but the bill died when Parliament was prorogued. Earlier this year, Liberal MP Bill Blair, a former Toronto police chief, said Criminal Code provisions on marijuana must be upheld until legalization is in place. Blair, parliamentary secretary to the justice minister, is the Trudeau government's point man on the issue. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has said the government should decriminalize marijuana right away. "I'm glad Mr. ChrŽtien agrees with us, that would be my comment," NDP justice critic Murray Rankin said Monday. ChrŽtien, 82, said he

May 11, 2016

In a news release, Health Canada says its regulatory proposal expeditiously achieves the intent of White’s bill.

Philpott says she is also planning a summit to take place this fall to address the opioid crisis.

In British Columbia, a joint task force examining the drug overdose crisis used International Overdose Awareness Day to highlight steps the province is taking on opioid overdoses.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday April 21, 2016 Marijuana legislation coming to Canada next spring CanadaÕs legislation to begin the process of legalizing and regulating marijuana will be introduced next spring, Health Minister Jane Philpott announced Wednesday at the United Nations. During her impassioned speech at a special UN session on drugs, Philpott acknowledged the pot plan Òchallenges the status quo in many countries,Ó but she said the Liberal government is convinced itÕs the best way to protect youth, while enhancing public safety. Canada must do better when it comes to drug policy, she added, saying the governmentÕs approach will be rooted in science and will address the devastating consequences of drugs and drug-related crimes. ÒI am proud to stand up for our drug policy that is informed by solid scientific evidence and uses a lens of public health to maximize education and minimize harm,Ó she said. ÒAs a doctor, who has worked both in Canada and sub-Saharan Africa, I have seen too many people suffer the devastating consequences of drugs, drug-related crime and ill-conceived drug policy. Fortunately, solutions are within our grasp.Ó Philpott began her speech with an emotional recounting of a story she recently heard from a mother who lost her daughter to substance abuse. The woman described watching her daughter die as she sought help that should have been available to save her life, Philpott said. ÒShe described watching her daughter slip away as she struggled to access the treatment and services that should have been available to save a beautiful, fragile life,Ó she said. ÒStories like this are far too commonplace. Countless lives are cut short due to overdoses of licit and illicit substances. Today, I stand before you as CanadaÕs minister of health to acknowledge that we must do better for our citizens.Ó PhilpottÕs address happened to coincide with 4/20 the annual day of celebration for cannabis culture l

April 21, 2016

Leaders of the task force, the provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, and the director of police services, Clayton Pecknold, say long-term and first-time users are affected equally, and no one who tries illicit drugs is safe.

Kendall and Pecknold say certain steps can reduce the chance of an overdose, and they are using the international awareness day as a platform to launch the first phase of B.C.’s fight against drug deaths.

They point to a new testing service to help users determine if their drugs contain potentially deadly contaminants such as fentanyl.(Source: Toronto Star)

2016-09-16tearsheet

Thursday August 19, 2004

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday August 19, 2004 IOC has zero tolerance for enhancing drugs (2 year old story originally for 2002 Commonwealth Games - cartoon from July 27, 2002 - adapted for 2004 Summer Olympics)Ê The opening ceremonies of the 17th Commonwealth Games will be a chance for host city Manchester to shed its image as a down-on-its-luck industrial city and breed a reputation as a sophisticated sports town that knows how to have a good time.Over 5,000 athletes from 72 Commonwealth countries will march into the new 38,000-seat City of Manchester Stadium tonight to usher in the 17th Commonwealth Games. The opening ceremonies are expected to be a sellout and Mancunians have been advised to allow for at least two hours to get to the stadium and get through security. Since the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, large-scale sporting events have been subject to massive security measures and these Games are no different. Manchester was the victim of an Irish Republican Army bombing six years ago in which no one was killed, but about 200 were injured. Multi-sport Games and the days leading into them often breed doping controversies and political intrigue in addition to stellar athletic performances. Two members of the Scottish weightlifting team withdrew yesterday amidst doping allegations. English pole vaulter Janine Whitlock, considered a medal contender, was suspended by UK athletics for testing positive for anabolic steroids and will not compete here. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) Athens, Greece, Olympics, doping, nandrolone, ephedrine, tribestan, Creatine, methoxibol, tribolan, xenadrine, chromium picolinate, drug, enhancing, IOC

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 19, 2004

Doping Buffet

(2 year old story originally for 2002 Commonwealth Games – cartoon from July 27, 2002 – adapted for 2004 Summer Olympics) 

The opening ceremonies of the 17th Commonwealth Games will be a chance for host city Manchester to shed its image as a down-on-its-luck industrial city and breed a reputation as a sophisticated sports town that knows how to have a good time.Over 5,000 athletes from 72 Commonwealth countries will march into the new 38,000-seat City of Manchester Stadium tonight to usher in the 17th Commonwealth Games.

The opening ceremonies are expected to be a sellout and Mancunians have been advised to allow for at least two hours to get to the stadium and get through security.

Since the terrorist attacks in the U.S. on Sept. 11, large-scale sporting events have been subject to massive security measures and these Games are no different. Manchester was the victim of an Irish Republican Army bombing six years ago in which no one was killed, but about 200 were injured.

Multi-sport Games and the days leading into them often breed doping controversies and political intrigue in addition to stellar athletic performances.

Two members of the Scottish weightlifting team withdrew yesterday amidst doping allegations.

English pole vaulter Janine Whitlock, considered a medal contender, was suspended by UK athletics for testing positive for anabolic steroids and will not compete here. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Thursday August 12, 2004

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday August 12, 2004 IOC has zero tolerance for enhancing drugs Athletics fans are hoping that this year's Olympic Games will not be dogged by drugs controversies. Ever since Ben Johnson stormed to a drug-fuelled success in Seoul in 1988, worries over the use of illegal substances have become part and parcel of the Olympics. Recent scandals involving a number of athletes associated with banned steroid THG have only increased concerns. Many have been banned after testing positive for THG, including British sprinter Dwain Chambers. Other top athletes have not tested positive, but suspicion still surrounds them as they work hard to clear their names. As the drugs become more sophisticated, so do the tests designed to catch those using them. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) Athens, Greece, Olympics, doping, nandrolone, ephedrine, tribestan, drug, enhancing, IOC

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 12, 2004

IOC has zero tolerance for enhancing drugs

Athletics fans are hoping that this year’s Olympic Games will not be dogged by drugs controversies.

Ever since Ben Johnson stormed to a drug-fuelled success in Seoul in 1988, worries over the use of illegal substances have become part and parcel of the Olympics.

Recent scandals involving a number of athletes associated with banned steroid THG have only increased concerns.

Many have been banned after testing positive for THG, including British sprinter Dwain Chambers.

Other top athletes have not tested positive, but suspicion still surrounds them as they work hard to clear their names.

As the drugs become more sophisticated, so do the tests designed to catch those using them. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)