1,200 Hit the Road for GranFondo
TUESDAY July 22, 2014 • www.langleytimes.com
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NEWS Kitten Amnesty
DLBA raises alarm over number of pharmacies
ARTS & LIFE Opera in the Country
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Double Gold at Games
‘Bad Ass’ Barry back in court
Sky’s the Limit
MONIQUE TA MMING A Time s Re po rte r
LETTER TO LANGLEY CITY COUNCIL CA LLS FOR LIMIT MO N I Q U E TA M M I N G A Ti m e s Re po r t e r
During the past six months, the number of pharmacies in the City of Langley has reportedly climbed from three to 12, with another one on the way. In a city of four-square miles, the proliferation of drug stores in the downtown core is raising alarm bells, with some speculating that many are methadone maintenance clinics, calling themselves pharmacies. At their July 7 meeting, Langley City council members, including Teri James, who is also the executive director of the Downtown Langley Business Association, received a letter from DLBA members, signed by the association’s chairperson, Sonya Perkins, asking that council consider regulating pharmacies. The letter states that many downtown business owners have witnessed the dispensing of methadone in several of these new pharmacies and most believe that is why so many have come to the City. They feel it’s a trend that isn’t going to stop. Dispensing methadone
can be a lucrative business for pharmacies. A methadone prescription is given to heroin addicts who replace that drug with liquid methadone. Most people using methadone take it daily, and for each time they take it the pharmacy can make around $20 per methadone user. From the government, through PharmaCare, a pharmacy recieves a dispensing fee plus a fee for watching the person ingest it. According to a 2011-12 report from the Provincial Health Officer, the number of pharmacies dispensing methadone has more than doubled in B.C. since 2001-02 — when the government made changes to PharmaCare coverage of methadone. In their letter, the DLBA expresses fears that Langley City will become a hub for methadone dispensing in the Lower Mainland. They recognize the need for methadone treatment as a vital service in the community, but believe there are already more than enough in place to serve the City’s needs, the letter reads. Continued Page 4
D A N FE R GUS ON Langley Time s
Georgia Bailey guides “Seattle” over a jump at the Milner Downs Classic II Sunday at the Milner Downs Equestrian Centre in Langley.
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‘Bad Ass’ Barry McQuarrie made a brief court appearance on Monday, faced with numerous charges, including first degree murder, in connection with the shooting death of his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend at a Cloverdale townhome. McQuarrie is also charged with operating a vehicle while disqualified, theft of a motor vehicle, theft over $5,000 and breach of probation. McQuarrie was captured while hiding in a Langley home owner’s garage after two months of being on the run from police. The home owner did not know McQuarrie. McQuarrie was arrested by officers of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team along with Langley RCMP, the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, RCMP helicopter Air One and a police dog team. He was charged with first degree murder in the May death of Gregory Quesnelle, 32, originally from southern Ontario. On Monday, May 12, just before midnight, RCMP responded to a report of a man being shot at a home near 176 Street and 57 Avenue. Continued Page 5
Furniture Clip & Appliances Save Me! Electronics OFF Yard Waste $ Concrete D LIMITE ER FF Hot Tubs & Pianos TIME O Construction Debris
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