GOLDSTREAM
NEWS GAZETTE
Generosity doubled
A dance mix tradition
A woman looking to give away her car to someone in need gets Galaxy Motors to do the same. News, Page A3
A Punjabi dance school prepares to mix tradition and modernity at its annual youth showcase at UVic. Arts, Page A19
SERVING THE BEST SUSHI ON THE WESTSHORE 250.590.8686 737 Goldstream Ave Beside Station House Pub
www.akemisushi.ca
MON - SUN 11:00 am - 9:30 pm DINE IN • TAKE OUT • DELIVERY
Watch for breaking news at www.goldstreamgazette.com
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Environmental charges laid in Goldstream River fuel spill Kyle Wells Sarah Wilson and Brittney Johnstone, Mobile X support workers, will deliver clean needles, crack pipes and condoms to people, generally addicted drug users, who request the service. The Victoria AIDS Resource and Community Service Society is making an effort to expand services on the West Shore.
News staff
“We haven’t been successful in reaching people and gaining support and allies,” said Karen Dennis, executive director of VARCS. “I realize the West Shore isn’t the same as Victoria with an obvious population (of drug users) on the street.” While advertising their services through West Shore organizations, Johnstone and Wilson say many people they talk to doubt such a service is needed. The Mobile X team suspects many users remain hidden, and most have homes, jobs and contribute to society.
James Allan Smith, the Columbia Fuel truck driver who crashed and spilled 42,700 litres of fuel into Goldstream River last year, is now being charged with three new counts for environmental damage. Smith has been charged with two counts under the Environmental Management Act and one under the Fisheries Act. The first count is a charge of unlawfully allowing gasoline and diesel fuel into the environment by way of a motor vehicle accident while on the job. The second count alleges Smith introduced gasoline and diesel into the environment “in such a manner as to cause pollution.” Both counts fall under the Environmental Management Act. Under the Fisheries Act, Smith is being charged with depositing gasoline and diesel into an environment where it may enter water frequented by fish. The allegations stem from when a Victoria-bound Columbia Fuels truck flipped in the s-turns of the Malahat Drive on April 16, 2011, and plowed into the rock face. The b-train truck spilled 42,000 litres of gasoline and 700 litres of diesel into a culvert that emptied into the popular fish-bearing stream in Goldstream park.
PLEASE SEE: Invisible users, Page A12
PLEASE SEE: Charges, Page A6
Charla Huber/News staff
Reducing harm on the West Shore Agency discretely distributing free needles, crack pipes Charla Huber News staff
An organization that distributes free crack pipes, syringes or condoms for drug users is expanding its harm-reduction operations on the West Shore. Brittney Johnstone and Sara Wilson, support workers with Victoria AIDS Resource and Community Service Society (VARCS), will
deliver clean supplies straight to homes and apartments. The concept is about reducing the spread of disease from drug users sharing dirty needles and crack pipes, and from unprotected sex. Distributing needles, pipes and condoms reduces risk and harm — it’s the same reason people wear seat belts and bike helmets, Wilson said. “We are giving them harm reduction supplies, but we get to look at the person and assess them. If someone says they want to go to detox, we say ‘I’ve got the number, let’s make you an appointment right now,'” Johnstone said. “We want to make sure people are using safely.”
The “Mobile X” team uses a nondescript mini van — “your average mother’s mini van,” Johnstone said. In the back of the van, cardboard boxes hold needles for intravenous drug users, crack pipes and condoms. A bright yellow bucket full of used needles deposited by clients is the only giveaway of what Mobile X is for. The VARCS Mobile X service has been in operation for nearly 10 years, but it’s only established relationships with four long-term clients on the West Shore. The organization is making a renewed effort to connect with potential clients in an area with few services for drug users.
Guaranteed Results! Cal-Mag Supreme with AglaeCal® Will Give you Stronger Bones in 1 Year … or your Money Back!
COLWOOD CORNERS #6 - 310 Goldstream Ave.
250-478-3244 FAIRFIELD PLAZA #4 - 1516 Fairfield Rd.
250-595-5387 www.biosupply.com
Put Health First Cal-Mag Supreme with AlgaeCal ® to the Test: Get a DXA scan to assess your bone mineral density then supplement Cal-May Supreme with AlgaeCal® as directed for 1 YEAR (two tablets daily). After the 1 YEAR period have a follow up DXA scan done to measure the results of the supplementation. If your bones are not healthier, stronger and denser after 1 YEAR as evidenced by a full Sale 60’s body DXA (Dual-emission X-Ray Absorptiometry) scan, we will refund the amount of your ® * 1 YEAR of Cal-May Supreme with AlgaeCal supplementation. We want you to share in 120’s the confidence we have in this product. *
Guarantee details are available in store
- $24.98 - $43.98
Sale ends May 22nd, 2012 or while quantities last.