Children whose parents are incarcerated have been acknowledged internationally as a vulnerable population facing serious challenges. In 2011, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child convened a Day of General Discussion on Children with Incarcerated Parents during which it was stressed that the best interests of children must be considered throughout the […]
Canada is a global frontrunner in using extrajudicial measures to deal with non-serious youth offenses. As opposed to dealing with a youth offence through the formal criminal justice system, police officers can use extrajudicial measures to divert youth into alternative programs to hold them accountable and to assist them in making better choices. Specifically, when […]
Smoke alarms are small, self-contained electrical units that signal an alarm warning when detecting the presence of smoke or fire. Smoke alarms may be hard wired into a building, and powered by a replaceable battery, or a combination of the two. There are many makes, models, and manufacturers of smoke alarms in Canada, ranging in […]
Under section 214 of the British Columbian Motor Vehicle Act, it is illegal to use any hand-held device while operating a vehicle. This legislation was introduced in 2010 to promote safe driving and reduce injuries related to distracted drivers. Hand-held devices include cell phones and personal digital assistant (PDA) devices. Other electronic devices such as […]
Marijuana (also known as cannabis) is a widely used drug, particularly among young people. Marijuana use among Canadian youth has steadily increased to approximately 30% of those in grades 7 to 12 and 47% of 18 to 19 year olds. There is a growing concern about the effect of marijuana on road safety as marijuana […]
Alcohol and other substances impact a driver’s ability to make accurate judgments. It can slow reflexes, making accidents much more likely. In 2004, alcohol was a contributing factor in 23% of all police-reported motor vehicle fatal collisions. In just one year in British Columbia, 93 people were killed in alcohol-related collisions and approximately 3,200 people […]
Binge drinking has increased over the last decade, especially with youth between the ages of 15 to 25. A 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey found that almost 21 per cent of Canadians 12 years of age and older binged on alcohol 12 or more times a year. Binge drinking is most common with university and […]
Energy drinks provide physical and mental stimulation for short periods of time. Popular energy drinks in Canada include Monster, RedBull, Rockstar, FullThrottle, Hype, and Red Dragon. These brands and others can be found nearly anywhere beverages are sold.
Ecstasy is a recreational drug often used at house parties, raves, or nightclubs. Ecstasy is commonly referred to as MDMA and also known as love drug, X, XTC, Adam, Eve, party pill, or hug beans.
Similar to morphine, fentanyl is a synthetic opiate used to treat patients with extreme chronic pain. Sometimes it is used for patients coming out of surgery. Street names for fentanyl include TNT, China girl, Goodfella, Murder 8, and Tango and Cash. Fentanyl is usually used when no other pain medicines work as it is extremely […]