Inside
PHONE: 996-8482 www.caledoniacourier.com
WEDNESDAY, June 6, 2012
NEWS BRIEFS
◆ Pitka Creek spill analysis P. 8 ◆ Driver’s code of courtesy P. 12
◆ Budget Bill bashed P. 3 ◆ Suspicious fire P. 6
VOL. 35 NO. 14 $1.34 inc. GST
Paddle out
2011 Annual Report The District of Fort St. James will be holding a special meeting on June 13, 2012 at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. The meeting will be to present the 2011 Annual Report, which is required by the Community Charter. Public with questions and comments may attend the meeting and put them forward there. Copies of the draft annual report are available at the District of Fort St. James office or online at http://bit.ly/ MLbpyD.
Dennis Cumberland was out enjoying some calm waters on Stuart Lake last week on his paddle board. The boards are an increasingly popular form of recreation in many areas, with some paddle boarders able to surf ocean breaks on the boards. Not as frequently seen on Stuart Lake, Cumberland enjoys the variety the paddle board offers. He also has a couple of kayaks, but the paddle board provides a bit of a workout for the whole body as the paddler maintains stability using their legs and core muscles. Ruth Lloyd Photo
Hog dewormer used in area drugs
Mail time Post office boxes will be accessible on Saturdays now. As a result of concerns brought forward to council, the local Canada Post Office will be opening the access to post office boxes from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. until further notice.
Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier Crack and powder cocaine are being cut with a hog dewormer, according to local addictions specialists and law enforcement. The veterinary drug is toxic to humans and has been causing unpleasant symptoms in some users, even leading to hospitalization in cases. Infections are a common side effect, but other symptoms include: fever and chills, swollen glands, painful sores in your mouth or anus, skin infection with dark skin patches, sore throat, and pneumonia. Health officials are asking patients to let their health care provider know they have used crack or cocaine if they experience these symptoms or seek medical help. The additive cannot be removed by “cooking” or filtering, and a person cannot determine which additive has been added without chemical tests. A recent information session and public meeting held at the high school provided information to parents concerned about the drug use in the community.
Only a handful of parents attended, but they received information about what signs to look for that may indicate a youth is using drugs. Addictions counsellors told parents to watch for a loss of interest in previous sports or hobbies, changes in their social groups, extreme irritability or moodiness, changes to sleep or eating patterns and a sudden secretive attitude towards his or her space or possessions. The general advice for parents is to get informed on the subject and have a calm talk with their children, maintaining an open door and giving them resources they can go to if they want to get help. If use escalates into serious addiction, parents can look out for failing grades, skipping school and involvement in criminal activity. Some other symptoms by frequent users to watch for are constantly runny nose and touching their nose, extreme weight loss, and sweating (experienced immediately after use). The common trend in many heavy drug users is increased problems in school and relationships. With intense use, impotence or loss of sexual desire can also result. One online resource is the United States Government’s National Institute for Drug Abuse site at: www.drugabuse.gov.
Fatal dirt bike crash outside Vanderhoof A 14-year-old boy is dead after colliding with a truck while riding his dirt bike outside Vanderhoof.
On the evening of May 31, the crash occurred on Gill Road, east of Vanderhoof. The youth was reportedly
driving the dirt bike on the road then collided with the pick up, driven by a 19-year-old man. Investigators were at the
scene of the crash the same evening and speed was considered a likely factor in the fatal crash. Anyone who may have wit-
nessed the crash or with any information can contact Vanderhoof RCMP or Crimestoppers at 1-800-822-8477.