'Methadone Clinics'

Some four years ago, numerous agencies in Windsor/Essex, both non-governmental and governmental, set-up what is known as: The Windsor/Essex Drug Strategy.  There were many interested parties and many well meaning people.  But the 'The Drug Strategy' was flawed from it's inception, because it included what is known as; 'The Four Pillar' Model, or approach. These 'Four Pillars' are: Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement and Harm Reduction.  Personally, having been involved in the Windsor/Essex drug Strategy and opposing the 'Harm Reduction Pillar', or Model, I do believe that there were, and are individuals that had agendas, lacked knowledge and emotionalized the issue to be of any real help or direction.  Harm Reduction, provides the means to use drugs 'safely'. If there is such an animal, I know it not!  Individuals who use drugs need treatment, not enabling, because in the end they wind-up DEAD!  Anyone that tells you there is kinder, gentler, softer way is misinformed and inexperienced.

Methadone 'treatment' is part and parcel to 'The Harm Reduction' model.  Methadone was invented in 1939 and was used extensively in the 1960's and 70's to aid Veterans of Vietnam to over-come Heroine and Opium addiction.  The ambition was not completely successful, as many died, both veterans and civilians.  Now, what is 'old' is 'new' again, and there are what I perceive as profiteers engaging in the wholesale methadone ideology as a 'cure-all' for every addiction, including alcohol!!!  Individuals who endorse such a course are flawed.  Any person who is addicted to any 'addictive' substance need to realize change and that should be done in a 'Treatment' setting.  Unfortunately, monies that could and should be used for treatment have been put towards 'Harm Reduction' and at present the Province of Ontario only provides a 21-day program, even for Cocaine and Methamphetamine.  Where is the logic??  I have been to Queens Park on this issue twice in the last year, attempting to persuade individuals to put monies into 90-day programs. 

An unfortunate side effect is 'Methadone Clinics' springing up all over the country with little supervision, or knowledge about there function and affect on an area.  These 'Clinics' are notorious for destroying neighbourhoods, escalating crime and drug litter, including methadone dispensing bottles, cups and used needles.  Methadone is very addictive and lethal to non-opiate addicts.  Children especially the very young should be kept as far away as possible from any methadone contact. 

Rob Cheshire C.A.C. II
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Celebrate Recovery     

Windsor council being sued by the bridge is a real blow to Windsor residents.

Windsor council being sued by the bridge is a real blow to Windsor residents.

Whether you like the fact that Matty Moroun owns the bridge, or that he wants to build another bridge, this doesn’t excuse the behavior that led up to the lawsuit being filed against Windsor councilors .

It was plain to see from all the residents I spoke with that council was abusing their trust and authority by using the heritage designation against a private citizen to prevent, obstruct,  and disrupt the legal pursuit and of the development of one’s own property.

Not only did council obstruct a private company, they also told private citizens who sold their homes (not under some crazy government expropriation scheme, but willingly to the bridge) that they made the wrong decision. They then put your neighbours at risk in by allowing these homes to stand boarded up and dilapidated.

These citizens were irate and council dismissed them.

Some citizens couldn’t even make existing repairs or additions to their homes because of council’s charade.

It is plain as the nose on our faces what went on. It is my belief a judge just may see it the same way.

With the legal department costs at city hall already on the rise and Windsor running a budget deficit, the news of these lawsuits have Windsors residents wondering if these councilors are going to leave Windsorites footing the bill for the dozen or so lawyers needed to defend the actions of council and the possible judgment awarded?

With DRIC falling apart by the hour because our governments weren’t smart enough to get an agreement with the Americans in writing, it looks as if the bridge will win the battle at the end of the day.

What Windsor residents should be concerned with is the image that our councilors sent out to prospective businesses who were thinking about locating here in Windsor.

The true cost of city councils recklessness may never be known.

I offer a challenge to city council, tear down those houses, and do what is necessary to move in the direction of progress.

Matt Ford
Ward 1 Candidate

Eco fees

Much is being said about Stewardship Ontario so I went to the website and did a little digging.

The governing board consists of representatives from major companies who according to Stewardship Ontario set eco fees on products.

Their names are Jim Quick from Canadian Paint and Coatings, Gordon Meyer of Proctor and Gamble, Brian Pendergast  of Recochem Incorporated, Reg Mcklay of Canadian Tire, Sylvain Mayrand of Lassonde Juice, Mark Malo of Clorox, Calla Farn of MCain Foods, Ron Davidson of Apotex Incorporated, Rob Chant Loblaw, John Coyne of Unilever Canada, Tamara Burns of  Sears Canada, Dianne Brisbois of Retail Council of Canada, Debbie Baxter of Loyality One Inc. and finally your C.E.O. Ian Anderson of CKF Inc.

http://www.stewardshipontario.ca/sites/default/files/docs/Scrutineer%20report%202010%20_%20with%20appendicies_bm_june%2018_F.pdf

Stewardship Ontario’s website claims that  only associations of business that pay  10 million dollars or more in  access “fees” by contributing to Blue Box or the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste Program can gain access to the governing board of Stewardship Ontario .

Of 20 business associations that applied only six associations qualified and signed a slate of 14 Candidates.

 They were all but rubber stamped.

Stewardship Ontario claims that they don’t set the eco fee but it is determined by the retailers and manufacturers.  

They also claim while there is no set eco fee feel free to browse the fees we charge?

Oh and if your feel you are being overcharged on these ‘eco fees” that we don’t set we would like to know about it.

....What??  http://www.stewardshipontario.ca/consumers/what-we-do/mhswenvironmental-fees

So the retailer can charge nothing and they would be O.K. with that?

Where is the money going?

Can these board members set fees?

 If so can they use their position to put competitors at a disadvantage by assigning their competitors  higher “ECO FEES”?

Reading their website leaves more questions than answers.

Matthew Ford

Anticipation

Power Outage

Last year Dwight Duncan was in Tecumseh to make an announcement regarding placing expensive tax payer subsidized solar panels on a government building.

Impressionable school children were brought in for the photo op at which time Dwight Duncan said that people want to question the financially feasibility of projects like this but we have to do them no matter what the cost. He labeled us as naysayers to be dismissed Dwight proudly cut the ribbon and kissed the closet available baby.

Fast forward to yesterday’s news from his own Liberal Energy Minister Brad Dugui’s announcement that they were cutting the generous taxpayer subsidy to Solar and we now have a totally different outcome for solar projects in Ontario.

Dwight your own government is questioning the feasibility.

To say the solar companies are mad is an understatement. 

This government including Dwight Duncan and all other political parties that dismissed legitimate concerns about the long-term feasibility of these fantasy laced Green energy projects at a time when Ontario has an abundance of energy should be ashamed of themselves for being so reckless with tax dollars.

To those that supported this nonsense in the Liberal, N.D.P.  and the Conservative party you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Maybe next time you will pick up a book and read up on  the 40 year history of these green energy schemes and to some who knew and said nothing, next time have some courage to take a stand.

Matthew R. Ford.

Protesters' point falls short

Hooded masked terrorist criminals, financed to destabilize the world, wreaked havoc upon Toronto.
The correlated link with black-clothed enemies of democracy setting a police car ablaze and destroying property all in the name of world poverty is quite clear -- so a punch to a wheelchair-bound invalid's head is a blow for global warming.