THURSDAY, August 11, 2016
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
NATIONAL NEWS
Researchers examining toll of war on Syrian refugee children CASSANDRA SZKLARSKI
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Beginning a new school year can be an anxious time for some children. For those shattered by early psychological trauma, it can be especially fraught with emotion. A study underway at Western University is examining how the war-torn experiences of newly arrived young Syrian refugees might affect their ability to cope in the classroom, and researcher Mazen El-Baba hopes the findings will go a long way towards improving everything from teachers’ lesson plans to community programs to government policy. He said many new arrivals have not been to school in years and will almost definitely struggle in September. “My fears are of the teacher not being able to understand where to begin,’’ El-Baba said
of what sparked the study, still in its data-gathering phase. “It’s different than teaching another kid the basics because [here] you’re dealing with more mature children who are well aware that their level is way behind their actual class. There’s a lot of difficulties. I really, really hope the school boards are prepared for it.’’ He pointed to a nine-yearold he knows who will enter Grade 5 despite not knowing what plus and minus are, and a 16-year-old who will enter Grade 10 despite only having a Grade 5 education. Then there’s bullying, which he calls “a huge, huge problem’’ given the experiences of some Syrian kids who ventured into Canadian classrooms this past spring. “All the kids we know that went to school, all the parents were telling us: ‘We need help in September because our kids are being beaten up and spit at at school,’” he said.
“I know a six-year-old who was being hit by various other [kids] in his class.’’ The study involves 81 children and a battery of tests conducted in English and Arabic. They include tests to assess numerical fluency and cognition, language proficiency, impulsivity, and how subjects respond to positive, negative or neutral feedback. It’s part of a larger research project that also studied kids with typical upbringings in the London, Ont., area, said supervisor J. Bruce Morton, an associate psychology professor and principal investigator at the university’s Brain and Mind Institute. Morton noted the focus of the study isn’t unique, pointing to a large study from Harvard University that analysed the psychological profile of children from Romanian orphanages. “People are coming at this with somewhat more specific
hypotheses and better measures perhaps for identifying the impact of adversity on the developing mind,’’ Morton said of differences in this study. “Looking, for instance, at the relationship between trauma and attention control, so how long can children remain focused on the task before they’re kind of ready to move on and do something different? Or how long can they sit still?” But they’re not just looking at where things can go wrong. Morton said he hopes the study can shed light on what can make a child succeed, despite the odds. “There are going to be other kids who are going to be amazingly resilient and are going to flourish and adapt relatively well to their new social and cultural environment,” he said. “And those kids, I think, are also equally valuable to study.’’
Calgary man charged with importing deadly synthetic drug from China Carfentanil is 100 times more powerful than fentanyl, investigators say THE CANADIAN PRESS
CALGARY — RCMP have charged a Calgary man with importing a dangerous synthetic drug that can be 100 times more powerful than deadly fentanyl. Canada Border Services Agency staff seized a package containing one kilogram of carfentanil that came from China, enough for 50 million doses. “It is very dangerous,” RCMP Insp. Allan Lai said. “This is serious enough that we do have to prevent this from coming into our country.” The synthetic opioid is
used to sedate elephants and other large animals but has been showing up in heroin around the world. RCMP said it is hard to imagine what this drug would do if even a small amount made its way to Canadian streets. The CBSA said the package containing the drug was intercepted in Vancouver on June 27. The package was marked as containing printer accessories. The white powder was sent to a lab that confirmed the substance was carfentanil. Officials said the public was never at risk.
RCMP and Calgary police then began investigating. Joshua Wrenn, 24, has been charged with importing a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. He is to appear in Calgary provincial court on Oct. 19. Carfentanil is the latest synthetic opioid to cause concern in Canada. Fentanyl has been linked to hundreds of deaths in Canada, including 443 in Alberta since 2014. The NDP government passed a law this year to ban machines that make pills of illegal drugs such as fentanyl. Last month, British Columbia asked the federal
Summer is here!
Step out in comfort & style. Martin Bojesen, H. B. Kin., C. Ped (c) Certified Pedorthist Ann Hamilton, H. Bsc. Kin., C. Ped. (c) Certified Pedorthist
government to help it crack down on fentanyl overdoses that have been classified as a public health emergency in the province. Fentanyl has been linked to 371 deaths in B.C. this year. RCMP warned that carfentanil is worse, calling it one of the most powerful opioids known. “It has a quantitative potency 100 times that of fentanyl whereby a minute dose of as little as 20 micrograms could be fatal to an average human,” police said in a release. “There is no known application where carfentanil would be safe for human use.”
Bring in this ad and receive 25% off mens & womens in-stock sandals or 15% off in-stock SOLE flip-flops!
Hey, remember that kid Mike that used to wash our car at VW? He’s all grown up and in sales now! Let’s go say hi!
LAMPLIGHTER AMPLIGHTER MOTEL OTEL NEWLY RENOVATED!
microwave in room • wireless internet • 31 modern units air-conditioned • satellite TV • direct dial phone sauna and whirlpool • jacuzzi suites in-room coffee & fridge • coin laundry • senior rates
www.lamplighter.kamloops.com
For reservations call Toll Free 1.800.563.7401 MEMBER 10% DISCOUNT
1901 East Trans-Canada Highway, Kamloops
Phone: 250.372.3386 • Fax: 250.372.8740 • email: lamplighter31@hotmail.com Select Canada ★ ★ ★ Bc Accommodation
)_;m b| ol;v |o 77b1ঞomĺĺĺ THE FIRST STEP IS ASKING FOR HELP
Private Medical Detox is a fee-for-service alcohol and opiate homedetox program. If you are 19 years of age or older and would prefer not |o 7;|o bm - |u;-|l;m| 1;m|u;ķ 7;|o mb| ou o|_;u =-1bѴb| Ŋ| r; v;মm]ķ call us today. Our health care team can provide you with the privacy that you want and the 24-hour medical supervision and nursing care services you may need to help you with the recovery process.
Serving the BC Interior.
888-512-2616 privatemedicaldetox.com
“Practical Advice. Sound Solutions. Outstanding Results.”
Wills & Estate Planning • Estate Administration Real Estate Law • Corporate Law As a full service law firm our legal team has expertise in most areas of law.
Candace Cates
Matt Ford
Carolyn Oien
Morgan Elander
Michael Fulton
250.372.8811 • www.cfoelaw.com
In-stock items only
Exclusive dealer for Mieux chaussé Mieux vivre
Better Shoes Better life
A15
250.372.8811 cfoelaw.com
Elmer Epp