Drug Use, Drinking and Driving “The Costs of Illegal Drugs” Controlled Drugs and Substance Act Possession Case

Question for the Unit How do drugs and impaired driving affect Canadians? We will be looking at the “cost” of drugs and the “costs” of impaired driving on Canadians. “Costs” meaning tax spending on health care, legal aid, insurance rates, worldwide costs and lives.

How to Solve These Problems? Federal and Provincial governments have tried to solve these problems by introducing stiffer penalties and other deterrents by giving police greater powers. Deterrents: that which discourages or prevents a person from doing something.

Costs of Illegal Drugs Worldwide governments spend millions of dollars monitoring drug traffic and arresting people involved in the drug trade. The illegal drug trade feeds criminal organizations. Textbook questions; “Do such costs justify the “war on drugs” or should governments legalize the possession and use of certain drugs?” This question we will be looking at inn the case of Canada, specifically B.C with legalizing marijuana.

Worldwide Illicit Drug Industry Revenue generated is estimated at $600 billion. Annual production of Marijuana in B.C is $6 billion. The marijuana industry in B.C. is the largest in the Province.

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Drug: Any substance that by its chemical nature alters structure of function in a living organism. Not all are classified as criminal, for example: coffee, tea, beer cola and asprin.

Controlled Substances Controlled Substances: any material including both illegal and drugs legally prescribed by doctors. The Controlled substance Act refers to any substance in schedule I to IV. Drugs are classified under these categories.

Controlled Drug and Substances Act Criminalizes possession of and trafficking in, a variety of illegal and controlled drugs. 4 Basic Schedules: I- most dangerous drugs, narcotics – heroin or cocaine II- cannabis (marijuana) or resin up to 3kg III- lygeric acid, LSD IV- (Barbiturates) drugs for therapeutic use. Examples of mild uses; anesthesia, treating insomnia or anxiety.

Possession It is an offense to possess drugs listed in Schedules I to III This includes dangerous drugs, marijuana and its derivatives, and many dangerous drugs such as LSD. Canadians are allowed to possess drugs in Schedule IV that is drugs for therapeutic use.

Possession (a) From Criminal Code: A person has anything in possession when he has it in his person possession or knowingly i) has it in actual possession or custody of another person, or (ii) has it in any place where or not that place belongs to or is occupied by him, for the use or benefit of himself or of another person; and

Criminal Code: Possession (b) Where one of two or more persons, with the knowledge and consent of the rest, has anything in his custody or possession, it shall be deemed to be in the custody and possession of each and all of them.

Examples of Possession If five people are sharing marijuana or a “joint” they could all be convicted to the offence of possession. The owner of the house where they are smoking is also vulnerable. The crown must show the intent to possess, the accused must know the substance is a drug. Also must prove it is a controlled substance.

2001 Controlled Drugs and Substance Act Changed to allow patients with terminal illnesses, chronic conditions, or chronic pain to either grow their own marijuana or designate someone to grow it for them. Legal users must carry an identification card.

Types of Drugs: in Controlled Drugs and Substance Act Schedule I- Cocaine (Dangerous Drugs) Cocaine- Cultivated in many areas around the world, Andes Mountains in South America, coca bush leaves. Increase in energy and alertness, an extremely elevated mood, a feeling of supremacy, irritability, paranoia, restlessness, anxiety. Negative affects: heart, brain, lungs, kidneys and sexual function. Types of Drugs: in Controlled Drugs and Substance Act

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act: Schedule I: Heroin (Dangerous Drugs) Naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian opium poppy plant. Euphoria (“rush”), dry mouth, cloudedness of mental functioning. So many Problems!! Can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage to vital organs. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act:

Controlled Drugs and Substance Act: Schedule II Cannabis, marijuana and derivatives. Produced in B.C and many other parts of the world. United Nations has said “most commonly used illicit drug in the world.” Cannabis used medically has several well- documented beneficial effects combating nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy as well as with AIDS patients. Controlled Drugs and Substance Act:

Controlled Drugs and Substance Act: Schedule III- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) a hallucinogen that is commonly referred to as “"acid"”. It is manufactured from lysergic acid which is made from a fungus, grows on rye and other grains. Too many short term affect: each individual is different. Long-term effects of LSD can include: psychosis, depression, paranoid states &"flashbacks." Controlled Drugs and Substance Act:

Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Schedule IV: therapeutic use drugs and barbiturates. Depressant drug that cause relaxation and sleepiness. Examples are morphine, demoral and codiene. Can be extremely addictive! Excessive and long-term use of barbiturates, chronic symptoms: Changes in alertness Decreased functioning Irritability Memory loss Controlled Drugs and Substances Act