drugs

Thursday July 21, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday July 21, 2016 Dick Pound says ban Russia from Rio 2016 Olympics The founder of the World Anti-Doping Agency says the answer is clear Ñ Russia should be banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics for the good of the movement. Dick Pound, a longtime IOC member and a former competitive swimmer himself, says the IOC has an opportunity to send a clear message about zero tolerance for doping in the Olympics. "This is institutional cheating. It's just not acceptable in sport," said Pound on Wednesday. But the enormity of Russia Ñ both athletically and politically Ñ seems to be giving the International Olympic Committee pause, and it's delayed any decision on the allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia until Sunday. "It's political Ñ instead of focusing as we should on the sport aspects of this," Pound said. Far from marring the Olympic brand, Pound said banning Russia from the upcoming games would improve the reputation of the IOC and the Olympic movement more generally. "It would demonstrate that, on matters of principle, and the protection of clean athletes and the integrity of competition, that the Olympic movement is prepared to suspend even one of its most successful countries, because it has been demonstrated to endorse and in fact organize cheating.Ó Russia has been accused of running a widespread state-sponsored doping program designed to give Russian athletes an edge in international competition by WADA, the agency Pound founded, which has recommended that Russia be banned from the upcoming games. Pound said he understands the IOC delaying the decision for fear of legal reprisal from Russian athletes, but says they've missed an opportunity by not embracing WADA's recommendations. "If I were the president of the IOC, I would be on my knees saying, 'Thank you for taking this albatross from around my neck. We are happy to do what you recommend,'" Pound said. Russia is not the only country

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 21, 2016

Dick Pound says ban Russia from Rio 2016 Olympics

The founder of the World Anti-Doping Agency says the answer is clear — Russia should be banned from the 2016 Rio Olympics for the good of the movement.

Dick Pound, a longtime IOC member and a former competitive swimmer himself, says the IOC has an opportunity to send a clear message about zero tolerance for doping in the Olympics.

“This is institutional cheating. It’s just not acceptable in sport,” said Pound on Wednesday.

But the enormity of Russia — both athletically and politically — seems to be giving the International Olympic Committee pause, and it’s delayed any decision on the allegations of state-sponsored doping in Russia until Sunday.

“It’s political — instead of focusing as we should on the sport aspects of this,” Pound said.

Far from marring the Olympic brand, Pound said banning Russia from the upcoming games would improve the reputation of the IOC and the Olympic movement more generally.

“It would demonstrate that, on matters of principle, and the protection of clean athletes and the integrity of competition, that the Olympic movement is prepared to suspend even one of its most successful countries, because it has been demonstrated to endorse and in fact organize cheating.”

Russia has been accused of running a widespread state-sponsored doping program designed to give Russian athletes an edge in international competition by WADA, the agency Pound founded, which has recommended that Russia be banned from the upcoming games.

Pound said he understands the IOC delaying the decision for fear of legal reprisal from Russian athletes, but says they’ve missed an opportunity by not embracing WADA’s recommendations.

“If I were the president of the IOC, I would be on my knees saying, ‘Thank you for taking this albatross from around my neck. We are happy to do what you recommend,'” Pound said.

Russia is not the only country with a doping problem, but this situation is unique in that it was run by the state and extended to almost all areas of high-level sport in the country, he noted. (Source: CBC News)

Wednesday May 11, 2016

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

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday May 11, 2016

Jean Chretien says criminal records for pot possession ‘completely unacceptable’

Jean Chrétien 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.

April 8, 2003

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 — 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, Chrétien said he is in favour of decriminalization.

Monday, July 29, 2013

July 29, 2013

“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 — come on,” Chrétien 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.”

When Chrétien 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.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Wednesday January 13, 2016 The Blair roach project has won a powerful supporter. Premier Kathleen Wynne said she is pleased Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked former Toronto police chief Bill Blair, now Scarborough Southwest MP, to lead the marijuana legalization efforts. ÒI have a lot of respect for Bill Blair. I think that heÕll do a great job and his taking on of that role is the beginning of that national conversation that I said we have to have,Ó Wynne told reporters Monday at QueenÕs Park. The premier added that she was heartened that Blair is embracing her proposal to have cannabis sold through government-owned Liquor Control Board of Ontario outlets. ÒIÕm encouraged that he had, as a preliminary approach, that he thinks that it might make sense to use a distribution network thatÕs in place, . . . (although thatÕs) not a foregone conclusion,Ó she said. ÒHeÕs got a lot of people to talk to and heÕs got a lot of questions to ask and a lot of decisions to make over the coming months, so I look forward to that conversation.Ó Blair, a rookie MP who is parliamentary secretary to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, will work with a three-member cabinet team and a soon-to-be-named federal-provincial-territorial task force to develop the policy for legalizing marijuana. On Friday, Blair said Ottawa will look to Colorado and other jurisdictions that have legalized marijuana sales. ÒWe have pretty robust systems of regulation for other intoxicants in this country, mostly overseen by the provinces, and so weÕve already got a model, a framework we can build on here,Ó he said. ÒI think there are certain modifications or adjustments that we may have to make for cannabis as opposed to alcohol, but I think there is already a strong system in place for the control and regulationÓ of marijuana sales here. The police veteran, who himself has never smoked marijuana, pointed out that it is Òvery difficul

January 13, 2016

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. Chrétien agrees with us, that would be my comment,” NDP justice critic Murray Rankin said Monday.

Chrétien, 82, said he has never smoked cigarettes and he’s never tried pot.

“I don’t know what it is and I never tasted that,” he said. “I don’t know what is the effect.” (Source: CBC News)

2016-05-11tearsheet

Friday, February 6, 2015

Friday, February 6, 2015By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday, February 6, 2015

Niagara’s first case of the measles in nearly 20 years is not a risk to Hamiltonians.

“There is no Hamilton exposure,” said Carrie Beatty, spokesperson for Niagara Region Public Health.
The adult woman with the measles had travelled to Toronto on a couple of occasions recently but she didn’t take public transit.
Ontario public health officials are investigating whether there is a link between the case in Niagara and four in Toronto involving two children and two adults.
The highly contagious disease caused by a virus is circulating in Niagara and all residents are urged to get their vaccinations up to date.
Vaccines give nearly 100 per cent protection from the disease that is still one of the leading causes of death globally among young children.
Niagara’s public health department is warning anyone who was in unit C at Greater Niagara General Hospital on Portage Road in Niagara Falls that they were exposed to measles Sunday Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. to Monday Feb. 2 at noon.
Others may have been exposed at the MacBain Community Centre on Montrose Road in Niagara Falls on Monday, Jan. 26 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
And at Walmart on Oakwood Drive in Niagara Falls, including the walk-in clinic inside on Tuesday, Jan 27 from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and the Thursday, Jan 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Symptoms start out as a cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes and fever. A rash starts on the face after about four days and moves down the body. White spots might also appear in the mouth.
Hamilton had an outbreak a year ago with two cases in March 2014 linked to a third case elsewhere in Ontario. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Thursday January 15, 2015

Thursday January 15, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 15, 2015

Two city workers fired over pot-brownies

The city has fired two employees fingered for bringing pot brownies to a public works yard and sharing them with an unknowing co-worker.

The city initially suspended two male workers suspecting of bringing the banned baked goods to the Stoney Creek yard Dec. 22.

The brownies prompted an “adverse reaction” in a 20-year-old worker who was rushed to hospital, but has since recovered and returned to work.

Hamilton police investigated but determined there wasn’t enough evidence to lay charges. But Wednesday, city officials announced they’ve wrapped up an internal probe and fired the unidentified public works employee.

An update to council from public works had Gerry Davis said the pair were fired because of “possession an/or use of illegal drugs on city property.”

Generally, it takes longer to get high from eating cannabis-infused foods compared to smoking marijuana, but the effects can last longer. Symptoms of overdose in either case can include anxiety and panic attacks, disorientation or delusions.

“We are taking this matter very seriously,” Davis said previously, and contacted all city councillors to assure them an “internal investigation” was underway after The Spectator asked about the incident.

The banned baked goods were not reported to the provincial Ministry of Labour, but Hamilton police investigated and decided there was “insufficient evidence” to lay charges, said spokesperson Const. Claus Wagner. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Wednesday, November 6, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Toronto Mayor Ford to Stay in Job After Using Crack

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford vowed to continue as head of Canada’s biggest city and said he will run in the next election after admitting he used crack cocaine.

“I want the people of this great city to decide whether they want Rob Ford to be their mayor,” he said today at a media conference at city hall that was broadcast by CP24 television.

Ford, 44, said he has “nothing left to hide” and these “mistakes” would never happen again.

“I love this city, I love saving taxpayers money and I love being your mayor,” he said at the conference.

Ford’s vow to press on followed his admission today at an earlier media conference that he smoked crack cocaine, likely in one of his “drunken stupors.”

Pressure is mounting for Ford to resign after Toronto police said last week they had found a video that showed him appearing to inhale from a glass pipe. The Toronto Star and U.S. website Gawker were the first to report on the video in May, sparking a five-month police investigation that included airplane surveillance and cameras mounted on poles tracking Ford’s movements.

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Ford, who apologized on Nov. 3 for being “hammered” at a street party in August and for being in his office at 2 a.m. on St. Patrick’s Day with a half-empty bottle of brandy, vowed to curb his drinking and get a driver. He has repeatedly said he wouldn’t resign.

“I feel like a thousand pounds have been lifted off my shoulders,” Ford said at the second media conference today. “I can’t explain how difficult this was to do.”

Several city councilors and at least three Toronto newspapers had urged the mayor to step aside before today. (Source: Bloomberg)