Monday, April 16, 2012
How is democracy in absent in the article ''Doctor wants action on First Nation drug crisis''?
Although citizens are speaking up about the conflict regarding drug addiction in the First Nations community, democracy is absent when their concern is not responded to as ''Health Canada refuses to take it seriously.'' In this article, ''Common Good'' is not represeted because Health Canada neglects the citizens concern. By dong this, they are not participating in working toward what makes the most citizens safe, secure and happy.
Article #3...Doctor wants action on First Nation drug crisis
Prescription drug abuse in northern First Nations is a health emergency that chiefs and doctors say Health Canada refuses to take seriously.
Doctor Claudette Chase, the co-medical director with the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority, said Health Canada is developing a policy for treating addicts, but she wishes that policy was in place “yesterday.”
Doctor Claudette Chase, the co-medical director with the Sioux Lookout Health Authority, says Health Canada needs to pick up the pace when it comes to providing help to First Nations communities that are struggling with narcotic drug abuse.
“It would be nice to see Health Canada jump in with both feet and say ‘Oh my God this is an epidemic, how are we going to fight it,’” Chase said.
Some First Nations say up to 80 per cent of their population is hooked on prescription painkillers.
And they're even more worried since authorities moved to restrict one of the most powerful narcotics — OxyContin.
“I see people doing drugs, needles and Oxys, any time of day,” the youngster said. “They usually do it at their house. I think it's weird, kind of.”
Cat Lake Deputy Chief Dora Leadbeater said it's been painful to see her community slide into the grip of addiction.
“You know, sometimes, when people call you, you don't really know what to do [or] how to help, especially when it's a child who's telling all this,” she said.
Cat Lake declared a state of emergency in January when it said about 400 of its 600 residents were hooked on Oxys.
Last month, Ontario took OxyContin off pharmacy shelves, but it’s still available in the First Nation, on the black market.
The government is helping to fund a treatment program in Cat Lake, but Health Canada continues to restrict its nurses from helping more directly with addictions in First Nations.
“I try to teach the kids … that this isn't what the Creator put us here for,” Leadbeater said. “I try to tell everybody about our way.”
It’s a way of life that Leadbeater said will soon become lost if people don’t get the help they need.
When Cat Lake First Nation resident Samuel Wesley tried to beat his addiction OxyContin, he tried to turn to his traditional roots and went out hunting.
When Cat Lake First Nation resident Samuel Wesley tried to beat his addiction OxyContin, he turned to his traditional roots and went out hunting.
He shot a moose, but the flu-like symptoms of Oxy-withdrawal made it a struggle for him to bring the animal out of the bush.
“You lose your power, you lose your strength,” he said “I couldn't even pick up a moose head.”
Wesley went back to the drug once he returned home.
Wesley said he’s been taking the black market pain killers for about a year, but decided to quit after seeing his children taken into foster care. He said he was starting to get too desperate to find the money to feed his habit.
“You start taking chances you don't want to take,” Wesley said. “One day I thought I should go rob this guy, I don't want to do that, I don't want to be that.”
The First Nation hopes its treatment program will help people like Wesley overcome their addictions. Part of the program involves recovering addicts building their own shelter in the bush and hunting for their own food to rebuild self-sufficiency.
Wesley said he thinks the treatment method could help.
“Out there it's just survival,” he said. “No one is going to take care of you if you don't take care of yourself.”
So far, three of the hundreds of known addicts in the community have signed up for the first intake of the program at the end of April. Fifteen more are on a waiting list to get help.
Doctor Claudette Chase, the co-medical director with the Sioux Lookout First Nation Health Authority, said Health Canada is developing a policy for treating addicts, but she wishes that policy was in place “yesterday.”
Doctor Claudette Chase, the co-medical director with the Sioux Lookout Health Authority, says Health Canada needs to pick up the pace when it comes to providing help to First Nations communities that are struggling with narcotic drug abuse. “It would be nice to see Health Canada jump in with both feet and say ‘Oh my God this is an epidemic, how are we going to fight it,’” Chase said.
Some First Nations say up to 80 per cent of their population is hooked on prescription painkillers.
And they're even more worried since authorities moved to restrict one of the most powerful narcotics — OxyContin.
State of emergency
Prescription drugs are so pervasive in Cat Lake First Nation, even an 11-year-old interviewed by CBC News casually referred to them as “Oxys.”“I see people doing drugs, needles and Oxys, any time of day,” the youngster said. “They usually do it at their house. I think it's weird, kind of.”
Cat Lake Deputy Chief Dora Leadbeater said it's been painful to see her community slide into the grip of addiction.
“You know, sometimes, when people call you, you don't really know what to do [or] how to help, especially when it's a child who's telling all this,” she said.
Cat Lake declared a state of emergency in January when it said about 400 of its 600 residents were hooked on Oxys.
Last month, Ontario took OxyContin off pharmacy shelves, but it’s still available in the First Nation, on the black market.
The government is helping to fund a treatment program in Cat Lake, but Health Canada continues to restrict its nurses from helping more directly with addictions in First Nations.
More needs to be done
Leadbeater said more needs to be done.“I try to teach the kids … that this isn't what the Creator put us here for,” Leadbeater said. “I try to tell everybody about our way.”
It’s a way of life that Leadbeater said will soon become lost if people don’t get the help they need.
When Cat Lake First Nation resident Samuel Wesley tried to beat his addiction OxyContin, he tried to turn to his traditional roots and went out hunting. When Cat Lake First Nation resident Samuel Wesley tried to beat his addiction OxyContin, he turned to his traditional roots and went out hunting.
He shot a moose, but the flu-like symptoms of Oxy-withdrawal made it a struggle for him to bring the animal out of the bush.
“You lose your power, you lose your strength,” he said “I couldn't even pick up a moose head.”
Wesley went back to the drug once he returned home.
Rebuilding self-sufficiency
OxyContin is still available on the community’s black market, but it's getting more expensive — up to $1,000 a pill.Wesley said he’s been taking the black market pain killers for about a year, but decided to quit after seeing his children taken into foster care. He said he was starting to get too desperate to find the money to feed his habit.
“You start taking chances you don't want to take,” Wesley said. “One day I thought I should go rob this guy, I don't want to do that, I don't want to be that.”
The First Nation hopes its treatment program will help people like Wesley overcome their addictions. Part of the program involves recovering addicts building their own shelter in the bush and hunting for their own food to rebuild self-sufficiency.
Wesley said he thinks the treatment method could help.
“Out there it's just survival,” he said. “No one is going to take care of you if you don't take care of yourself.”
So far, three of the hundreds of known addicts in the community have signed up for the first intake of the program at the end of April. Fifteen more are on a waiting list to get help.
Monday, April 9, 2012
How does Article #3 represent Democracy?
The following three elements of democracy are represented in Article #3:1.Being informed and getting involved
2.Common Good
3.Personal Freedoms
1. In a democracy, ''democratic citizens should communicate openly and participate individually and collectively in issues that shape their community, country and world.'' This is represented as citizens of Canada speak out and work together to plan for a better future for their community and country. Theo Fleury tweeting ''Children are not safe in this country'' and the large amount of responses to the sentence is an example of how citizens are communicating openly. They are participating individually and collectively by voicing their opinion and planning, together, to fight for a difference in the law system which will assure future safety for children and overall citizens from predators such as Graham James as they agree to put this event into consideration when voting in the next election.
2.Common good, a major element of democracy, is very persistent in this article as the purpose of the discussion between citizens regarding the case of Graham James is to prevent similar incidents to occur in the future. To do this, Canadians are gaining knowledge from the present, unfortunate event and using it to plot, together, how they can change the system and bring justice to criminals. All citizens mentioned in the article who are expressing their thoughts are striving towards a goal, which can also be considered the''common good''. In this case it is the security of Canadians, specifically children.
"It should be a message I think — the attention that this case is getting and the fact that the men have come forward to actually tell you what damage is like to a person who has been sexually exploited."In this quote, the attention the case is getting represent Canadians working toward a common good and feeling responsibility to take action to eliminate future victims to such crimes. Citizens are caring for and depending on eachother. First, victims made the case famous to raise awareness and assure that no other children will be a victim like they were, and now, several citizens are voicing their opinions so new ideas can be shared on how to stop the crime of sexual assault.
3.The right for democratic citizens to voice their opinions and take action for a certain cause is an example of personal freedoms, an important element of democracy.It is a personal freedom to take actions and make statements influenced by your own values and beliefs."It's a good thing for victims to see (that) they will be heard. Come forward. You will be heard and the perpetrators of crime will be punished." Personal freedoms are not only beneficial for your own, personal satisfaction and freedom, but also because what you are able to say and do this element of democracy will affect those around you aswell, oftentimes in a beneficial way as proven in this statement from the article.
All in all, this article is a great example of why a democratic government and community is ideal. With these elements of democracy we as citizens are able to make a change and develop as a community. We are not all influenced by one opinion, but instead we all influence eachother and rely on eachother to have a secure, happy and safe life with fantastic freedom.
2.Common Good
3.Personal Freedoms
1. In a democracy, ''democratic citizens should communicate openly and participate individually and collectively in issues that shape their community, country and world.'' This is represented as citizens of Canada speak out and work together to plan for a better future for their community and country. Theo Fleury tweeting ''Children are not safe in this country'' and the large amount of responses to the sentence is an example of how citizens are communicating openly. They are participating individually and collectively by voicing their opinion and planning, together, to fight for a difference in the law system which will assure future safety for children and overall citizens from predators such as Graham James as they agree to put this event into consideration when voting in the next election.
2.Common good, a major element of democracy, is very persistent in this article as the purpose of the discussion between citizens regarding the case of Graham James is to prevent similar incidents to occur in the future. To do this, Canadians are gaining knowledge from the present, unfortunate event and using it to plot, together, how they can change the system and bring justice to criminals. All citizens mentioned in the article who are expressing their thoughts are striving towards a goal, which can also be considered the''common good''. In this case it is the security of Canadians, specifically children.
"It should be a message I think — the attention that this case is getting and the fact that the men have come forward to actually tell you what damage is like to a person who has been sexually exploited."In this quote, the attention the case is getting represent Canadians working toward a common good and feeling responsibility to take action to eliminate future victims to such crimes. Citizens are caring for and depending on eachother. First, victims made the case famous to raise awareness and assure that no other children will be a victim like they were, and now, several citizens are voicing their opinions so new ideas can be shared on how to stop the crime of sexual assault.
3.The right for democratic citizens to voice their opinions and take action for a certain cause is an example of personal freedoms, an important element of democracy.It is a personal freedom to take actions and make statements influenced by your own values and beliefs."It's a good thing for victims to see (that) they will be heard. Come forward. You will be heard and the perpetrators of crime will be punished." Personal freedoms are not only beneficial for your own, personal satisfaction and freedom, but also because what you are able to say and do this element of democracy will affect those around you aswell, oftentimes in a beneficial way as proven in this statement from the article.
All in all, this article is a great example of why a democratic government and community is ideal. With these elements of democracy we as citizens are able to make a change and develop as a community. We are not all influenced by one opinion, but instead we all influence eachother and rely on eachother to have a secure, happy and safe life with fantastic freedom.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Article #2 ....Fleury: Canadian ‘children are not safe’ from predators
WINNIPEG A two-year sentence imposed on former hockey coach Graham James for his most-recent sexual assault conviction had both his victims and ordinary citizens questioning Canada's justice system Tuesday.
Retired Calgary Flames star Theo Fleury, one of two teens James admitted to molesting when they played junior hockey for him, called on Canadians to get tough on sexual predators.
"Children are not safe in this country," the one-time NHLer said on his Twitter feed after the sentencing.
He urged Canadians to use their votes in the next election to push for change from the government.
"I don't care who it is as long as the laws change in this country."
Many Canadians seemed to agree.
"Next election, I am voting for anyone who promises to put child molesters away for life," tweeted Aaron DeGroot, who bills himself as a Winnipeg Jets fan.
"The only way to change the court system is when we vote — let's make this an issue in the next election," Darlene Gibson from British Columbia chimed in on Twitter.
The other victim James admitted abusing was Fleury's cousin, Todd Holt. At a news conference in Cochrane, Alta., he called the two-year sentence a travesty and warned that there are other predators out there just like Graham James.
"There's a boy out there dreaming his dreams and hoping his hopes until Graham James crosses his path — and cross his path he will," Holt read from a statement he jointly crafted with Fleury.
"He preys upon the unsuspecting, all along knowing that not much will happen to stop him. The courts of Canada have guaranteed that ... It's time that the predators know that they need to take notice and be scared."
Holt and Fleury didn't attend the sentencing in Winnipeg, but another victim did. Sheldon Kennedy came forward in 1996 and was one of three people James admitted to assaulting. The former coach would spend about 18 months of a 3 1/2-year sentence in prison.
Like Fleury, Kennedy became a prominent player in the NHL. He took a somewhat pragmatic approach to the sentence Tuesday.
"I think you always hope for more, but I think you've got to understand what's going on and try to stay realistic," he said outside the Winnipeg courthouse.
"We have moved the bar and, even though it's not what everyone wants to see, we're moving in the right direction."
Ottawa lawyer Greg Gilhooly also alleges he was assaulted by James, but the Crown stayed charges related to his case. He also showed up for the sentencing and had harsher words for the law.
"The building here is called the Law Courts Building. It's not called the Hall of Justice," he said. "Graham James was never going to get justice today. He was going to get a legal result."
Gilhooly said it was "unfathomable that a guy like Graham gets two years for what he did."
There were good things to come out of the case, said a prominent victims' advocate, even though she agreed with Fleury that tougher sentences are required.
"The problem ... is that the bar is set so low in the courts on sentencing of sex offenders," said Roz Prober, president of Beyond Borders, an advocacy group for sexually abused children.
"We must sentence these offenders in a much more severe fashion."
But she believes the case shows sex offenders that they shouldn't feel they are safe.
"It should be a message I think — the attention that this case is getting and the fact that the men have come forward to actually tell you what damage is like to a person who has been sexually exploited."
She said the result shows that victims will be taken seriously by the courts, even years later.
And, despite his lack of any personal satisfaction, Gilhooly agreed that the case sends a good message.
"It's a good thing for victims to see (that) they will be heard. Come forward. You will be heard and the perpetrators of crime will be punished."
The Canadian Press
Retired Calgary Flames star Theo Fleury, one of two teens James admitted to molesting when they played junior hockey for him, called on Canadians to get tough on sexual predators.
"Children are not safe in this country," the one-time NHLer said on his Twitter feed after the sentencing.
He urged Canadians to use their votes in the next election to push for change from the government.
"I don't care who it is as long as the laws change in this country."
Many Canadians seemed to agree.
"Next election, I am voting for anyone who promises to put child molesters away for life," tweeted Aaron DeGroot, who bills himself as a Winnipeg Jets fan.
"The only way to change the court system is when we vote — let's make this an issue in the next election," Darlene Gibson from British Columbia chimed in on Twitter.
The other victim James admitted abusing was Fleury's cousin, Todd Holt. At a news conference in Cochrane, Alta., he called the two-year sentence a travesty and warned that there are other predators out there just like Graham James.
"There's a boy out there dreaming his dreams and hoping his hopes until Graham James crosses his path — and cross his path he will," Holt read from a statement he jointly crafted with Fleury.
"He preys upon the unsuspecting, all along knowing that not much will happen to stop him. The courts of Canada have guaranteed that ... It's time that the predators know that they need to take notice and be scared."
Holt and Fleury didn't attend the sentencing in Winnipeg, but another victim did. Sheldon Kennedy came forward in 1996 and was one of three people James admitted to assaulting. The former coach would spend about 18 months of a 3 1/2-year sentence in prison.
Like Fleury, Kennedy became a prominent player in the NHL. He took a somewhat pragmatic approach to the sentence Tuesday.
"I think you always hope for more, but I think you've got to understand what's going on and try to stay realistic," he said outside the Winnipeg courthouse.
"We have moved the bar and, even though it's not what everyone wants to see, we're moving in the right direction."
Ottawa lawyer Greg Gilhooly also alleges he was assaulted by James, but the Crown stayed charges related to his case. He also showed up for the sentencing and had harsher words for the law.
"The building here is called the Law Courts Building. It's not called the Hall of Justice," he said. "Graham James was never going to get justice today. He was going to get a legal result."
Gilhooly said it was "unfathomable that a guy like Graham gets two years for what he did."
There were good things to come out of the case, said a prominent victims' advocate, even though she agreed with Fleury that tougher sentences are required.
"The problem ... is that the bar is set so low in the courts on sentencing of sex offenders," said Roz Prober, president of Beyond Borders, an advocacy group for sexually abused children.
"We must sentence these offenders in a much more severe fashion."
But she believes the case shows sex offenders that they shouldn't feel they are safe.
"It should be a message I think — the attention that this case is getting and the fact that the men have come forward to actually tell you what damage is like to a person who has been sexually exploited."
She said the result shows that victims will be taken seriously by the courts, even years later.
And, despite his lack of any personal satisfaction, Gilhooly agreed that the case sends a good message.
"It's a good thing for victims to see (that) they will be heard. Come forward. You will be heard and the perpetrators of crime will be punished."
The Canadian Press
Article #1...Last day to vote for Hockeyville
In their homes, at their workplaces, at the Mariners Centre, in car dealerships, at schools and wherever else they can people have spent the past couple of days voting for Yarmouth for Hockeyville. And with Tuesday being the last full day of voting (voting ends at at 12:59 a.m. overnight), the push is on – through word of mouth, the media, emails and social media – to get people to vote as much as they can.
Outside of MacDonald Chisholm Trask on Main Street on Tuesday, computers have been set up on tables on the sidewalk to make it easy for people passing by to cast their votes.
Employee Heather Saulnier says yesterday they had brainstormed for ways to get more community involvement in the voting process and this is what they came up. She says they calculated that they can get in 2,400 votes per hour if voting non-stop. And since they were staying set up on the sidewalk from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. they were hoping to exceed 16,000 votes.
Premier Darrell Dexter is also urging Nova Scotians to vote for Yarmouth in the Kraft Hockeyville 2012 contest, with just hours left before voting closes.
Yarmouth's Mariners Centre was chosen as the Atlantic Canada finalist and is one of five communities in the running.
"Time is of the essence," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "We need all Nova Scotians to vote now and vote often to ensure Yarmouth is the next Canadian community to be called Hockeyville."
"Yarmouth already considers itself a hockey town. Let's help make it official," said Premier Dexter. "I urge Nova Scotians to spread the word and encourage their friends, families and co-workers to log on or pick up the phone and cast their vote."
Nova Scotians can vote at http://www.krafthockeyville.ca/ or by calling 1-866-533-8066 toll-free.
Voting closes tonight, March 20, at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time (12:59 a.m. Wednesday, March 21 Atlantic time).
The winning community will be named March 31.
Jody Shelley of the Philadelphia Flyers, who grew up playing minor hockey in the Yarmouth County Minor Hockey Association, is also urging people to vote for Yarmouth for Hockeyville, which he still affectionately refers to as his "hometown." You can see his video message by clicking here.
Outside of MacDonald Chisholm Trask on Main Street on Tuesday, computers have been set up on tables on the sidewalk to make it easy for people passing by to cast their votes.
Employee Heather Saulnier says yesterday they had brainstormed for ways to get more community involvement in the voting process and this is what they came up. She says they calculated that they can get in 2,400 votes per hour if voting non-stop. And since they were staying set up on the sidewalk from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. they were hoping to exceed 16,000 votes.
Premier Darrell Dexter is also urging Nova Scotians to vote for Yarmouth in the Kraft Hockeyville 2012 contest, with just hours left before voting closes.
Yarmouth's Mariners Centre was chosen as the Atlantic Canada finalist and is one of five communities in the running.
"Time is of the essence," said Premier Darrell Dexter. "We need all Nova Scotians to vote now and vote often to ensure Yarmouth is the next Canadian community to be called Hockeyville."
"Yarmouth already considers itself a hockey town. Let's help make it official," said Premier Dexter. "I urge Nova Scotians to spread the word and encourage their friends, families and co-workers to log on or pick up the phone and cast their vote."
Nova Scotians can vote at http://www.krafthockeyville.ca/ or by calling 1-866-533-8066 toll-free.
Voting closes tonight, March 20, at 11:59 p.m. eastern daylight time (12:59 a.m. Wednesday, March 21 Atlantic time).
The winning community will be named March 31.
Jody Shelley of the Philadelphia Flyers, who grew up playing minor hockey in the Yarmouth County Minor Hockey Association, is also urging people to vote for Yarmouth for Hockeyville, which he still affectionately refers to as his "hometown." You can see his video message by clicking here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)