logo
#

Latest news with #RAAM

‘Significant shift' in how Hamilton police respond to open drug use
‘Significant shift' in how Hamilton police respond to open drug use

Hamilton Spectator

time27-06-2025

  • Health
  • Hamilton Spectator

‘Significant shift' in how Hamilton police respond to open drug use

Hamilton police say they have 'significantly shifted' how they respond to open drug use, in response to federal legislation that prioritizes treating substance use as a health-care issue over a criminal one. The change is also meant to help with concerns from community members and businesses, particularly downtown, about the prevalence and impact of open drug use in parks and city streets in recent years. Under the new approach, people found with small amounts of drugs for personal use are being arrested, their drugs and paraphernalia seized, and then — if they are willing — they are being referred to St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine) clinic. In the first 100 days of this partnership, from Jan. 20 to April 30, police made 287 arrests and 65 people agreed to be referred to the clinic, said Supt. David Hennick. Of those arrested, 14 were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police also recovered weapons, including prohibited knives, brass knuckles and a conducted energy weapon (CEW), and arrested people on unrelated outstanding warrants. 'Through this work addressing open drug use, we are identifying, apprehending and holding accountable people who are trafficking drugs in the community,' Hennick said, adding that anecdotally, police are hearing people are noticing a difference. Five people were charged with simple possession, including one case that was due to the amount of drugs found and four other cases where the accused person had drugs while allegedly committing another offence. Simple possession means someone is found with a small quantity of drugs that are just for their own use. It remains illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, in recent years, the courts have shifted away from prosecuting those cases. Hennick explained that this shift first began in August of 2020 when the Public Prosecution Service of Canada released guidelines for federal Crowns about prosecuting only the most serious simple possession cases. Essentially, unless there was a public safety risk, cases were being diverted away from the court. Then, in November 2022, the federal government ratified Bill C-5 that shifted the approach away from criminalization toward compassion and community well-being. That legislation mandates that in simple possession cases, before charging someone, police must consider whether it's preferable to take no further action, warn the individual or — with their consent — refer the individual to a treatment program or community service provider. 'What was happening is our members were involved in making simple possession arrests and laying charges and the charges were being withdrawn,' Hennick said. So police took time to understand the legislation, and that's how the partnership with St. Joe's was developed. Hennick said they are very happy with the progress so far. 'We are where we are supposed to be,' he said. Catherine McCarron, manager of RAAM Clinic St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, said they are trying to reduce barriers for those trying to access care. This is often difficult, as people might not have a fixed address or phone, not have access to transportation or be limited by hours of service. 'It's important to meet people where they're at,' she said, adding that services need to look at meeting people in the community. Hamilton police and St. Joe's have had long-standing partnerships with other programs, including COAST, MCRRT (mobile crisis rapid response team) and RIST (rapid intervention support team), to address mental-health and substance-use crises. She hopes to build on that. Someone referred to the RAAM clinic by police follows a similar process to any other type of referral, McCarron said, adding that they go over and above, making every attempt to contact people once they've been referred. At the clinic, patients can access a counsellor, nurse, nurse practitioner and peer support. There are also drop-in hours. About 60 per cent of the population is male, and the primary substance — about 82 per cent — is fentanyl. That's a shift from a couple decades ago when the primary substance seen was crack cocaine, she said. Amid a substance-use crisis, people in Hamilton are also facing the high cost of living, a housing crisis and other factors that make needs more complex. 'Given the fact that it is 100 days old, this is an opportunity for us to look at how to provide services differently,' she said, calling the initiative exciting. Hennick said the people they've arrested for open drug use during the first 100 days of the initiative range in age from 16 to 69. The 14 people charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking represented about 25 per cent of the 55 total such charges across the service during that period. Police seized a 'significant amount of drugs,' he said. This includes 348 grams of fentanyl, 40 grams of methamphetamine, 161 grams of cocaine and 344 Dilaudid (hydromorphone) pills. 'A significant amount of the work is taking place in the downtown area,' he said, adding that the core patrol team and patrol officers are making the most arrests. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Bad news for Israel, US as Iran destroys F-35 fighter jet worth Rs..., warns of...
Bad news for Israel, US as Iran destroys F-35 fighter jet worth Rs..., warns of...

India.com

time14-06-2025

  • Politics
  • India.com

Bad news for Israel, US as Iran destroys F-35 fighter jet worth Rs..., warns of...

Bad news for Israel, US as Iran destroys F-35 fighter jet worth Rs..., warns of... Israel conducted strikes at Iran's nuclear, missile and military complex, mounting tension in West Asia. In a counterattack, Iran also launched missile attack. Also Iran has made a big claim amid the Israeli attack. Iran says that it has shot down 2 fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force. This fighter jet is F-35 and is considered to be US' most advanced jet. Iran has also claimed to have captured a pilot flying the F-35. According to Tehran Times, as soon as this fighter jet entered Iran's airspace, Iran shot it down, after which the pilot came down using a parachute. As soon as the pilot came down, he was caught by Iranian officials. Israel Defense Force says that till now we do not have any such news. According to the video shared by Israel Defense Force regarding the operation, IAF soldiers are using RAAM (F-15I), SOUFA (F-16I) and ADIR (F-35I) to attack Iran. Israel has purchased all these fighter jets from America. The US plane which is said to have been shot down, its one unit costs Rs 7 billion. That means if Iran's claim turns out to be true, then Israel has suffered a loss of Rs 15 billion on the very first day of this attack. F-35 is a 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft The F-35 fighter plane is considered to be US' fifth generation fighter plane. It is a stealth fighter jet. US sells it by calling it the strongest plane. The price of this fighter jet of US is 90 million dollars (about 7 billion rupees). It is considered to be the most valuable plane. This is a single seater aircraft, which has one pilot. Due to its accurate aim, this fighter jet has also been named Panther. Israel is using 200 fighter jets in the war Israel is using at least 200 fighter jets simultaneously to fight Iran. On Friday, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion to kill top Iranian officials. In this operation, 6 Iranian nuclear scientists and 4 military officers have been killed. Apart from this, more than 60 Iranian citizens have died.

Ultra Cyclist Philipp Kaider Embarks on Race Across America with Support from Radiometer
Ultra Cyclist Philipp Kaider Embarks on Race Across America with Support from Radiometer

Business Wire

time10-06-2025

  • Health
  • Business Wire

Ultra Cyclist Philipp Kaider Embarks on Race Across America with Support from Radiometer

CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On June 10, 2025, Austrian ultra-endurance athlete Philipp Kaider will begin his most ambitious challenge yet: the Race Across America (RAAM). Spanning nearly 5,000 kilometers from the Pacific to the Atlantic, RAAM is widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance races in the world—demanding continuous cycling across extreme terrain, weather conditions, and time zones. To help monitor his hydration and recovery throughout the event, Kaider's team will use the ABL90 FLEX PLUS blood gas analyzer to measure critical values such as electrolytes—ensuring he remains in peak condition across each stage of the race. Share This marks Kaider's first attempt at the iconic race, a feat that tests not just physical strength, but also mental focus and strategic precision. Supported by a mobile crew and detailed performance planning, Kaider is determined to cross the finish line with speed and resilience. 'RAAM isn't just a race—it's a life experience,' said Kaider. 'It's about pushing past what you thought was possible and discovering a new level of endurance. I've trained for years to reach this starting line.' RAAM represents the ultimate test of human endurance, and Philipp's story reflects the passion and perseverance we admire at Radiometer. To help monitor his hydration and recovery throughout the event, Kaider's team will use the ABL90 FLEX PLUS blood gas analyzer to measure critical values such as electrolytes—ensuring he remains in peak condition across each stage of the race. About Radiometer Whatever comes next, we make sure life comes first. Radiometer develops, manufactures, and markets solutions for blood sampling, blood gas analysis, transcutaneous monitoring, immunoassay testing, and related IT management systems. Today, Radiometer's products and solutions are used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories in over 130 countries, providing information on critical parameters in acute care diagnostics. Through connected solutions, expert knowledge, and trusted partnerships, we help health care professionals make diagnostic decisions to improve patient care. To learn more, visit or contact Radiometer America at 1 (800) 736 0600. About RAAM RAAM, first held in 1982, differs from stage-based races by running non-stop from start to finish. Riders have no designated rest periods, making strategic decisions about sleep, nutrition, and pacing crucial for success.

Ultra Cyclist Philipp Kaider Embarks on Race Across America with Support from Radiometer
Ultra Cyclist Philipp Kaider Embarks on Race Across America with Support from Radiometer

Yahoo

time10-06-2025

  • Health
  • Yahoo

Ultra Cyclist Philipp Kaider Embarks on Race Across America with Support from Radiometer

CARLSBAD, Calif., June 10, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On June 10, 2025, Austrian ultra-endurance athlete Philipp Kaider will begin his most ambitious challenge yet: the Race Across America (RAAM). Spanning nearly 5,000 kilometers from the Pacific to the Atlantic, RAAM is widely regarded as one of the toughest endurance races in the world—demanding continuous cycling across extreme terrain, weather conditions, and time zones. This marks Kaider's first attempt at the iconic race, a feat that tests not just physical strength, but also mental focus and strategic precision. Supported by a mobile crew and detailed performance planning, Kaider is determined to cross the finish line with speed and resilience. "RAAM isn't just a race—it's a life experience," said Kaider. "It's about pushing past what you thought was possible and discovering a new level of endurance. I've trained for years to reach this starting line." RAAM represents the ultimate test of human endurance, and Philipp's story reflects the passion and perseverance we admire at Radiometer. To help monitor his hydration and recovery throughout the event, Kaider's team will use the ABL90 FLEX PLUS blood gas analyzer to measure critical values such as electrolytes—ensuring he remains in peak condition across each stage of the race. About Radiometer Whatever comes next, we make sure life comes first. Radiometer develops, manufactures, and markets solutions for blood sampling, blood gas analysis, transcutaneous monitoring, immunoassay testing, and related IT management systems. Today, Radiometer's products and solutions are used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories in over 130 countries, providing information on critical parameters in acute care diagnostics. Through connected solutions, expert knowledge, and trusted partnerships, we help health care professionals make diagnostic decisions to improve patient care. To learn more, visit or contact Radiometer America at 1 (800) 736 0600. About RAAM RAAM, first held in 1982, differs from stage-based races by running non-stop from start to finish. Riders have no designated rest periods, making strategic decisions about sleep, nutrition, and pacing crucial for success. View source version on Contacts PR MEDIARADIOMETER, Senior Brand Manager, Communications & Brand - AJ de Montjoie: +45 38 27 36 39SCHOKO communications (on behalf of Philipp Kaider) - Christian Troll: +49 151 1101 7582 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Winnipeg woman calls for change after family member turned away from addictions support
Winnipeg woman calls for change after family member turned away from addictions support

Global News

time08-05-2025

  • Health
  • Global News

Winnipeg woman calls for change after family member turned away from addictions support

A Winnipeg woman says the province needs to take a closer look at policies surrounding addictions treatment in Manitoba. Cheryl Chorneyko's family member, who Global News is not identifying due to privacy concerns, has been struggling with a severe alcohol addiction for years. Chorneyko says she wants to speak out, before it's too late. 'The system can do better. Number one, I just don't want my loved one dead,' Chorneyko told to Global News. 'This is eight years of trying to keep (them) alive.' Chorneyko says her loved one has repeatedly faced barriers in accessing treatment at detox centres and rapid access to addictions medicine, or RAAM, clinics. She's says they've been turned away from the clinics for being intoxicated — something Chorneyko says just simply shouldn't happen. Story continues below advertisement 'The symptoms of the diagnosis should never be the barrier to access care,' Chorneyko said. 'How can you be an addiction doctor practicing in a setting that you turn people away from the number one symptom of the diagnosis. No other place in health care does that happen.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy According to Shared Health, individuals do not have to be substance free for any period of time to access services at RAAM clinics. However, a Shared Health spokesperson said if an individual is too intoxicated to engage or communicate, they will be asked to return another time. But Chorneyko says that puts her family member at risk; they have fallen down sets of stairs and injured themselves, and while trying to get sober, the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal are severe, she says. 'My loved one has experienced being turned away from the detox unit on a scheduled admission date, and the reason for the medical detox unit is because of the possibility of seizures. So my loved one has seizures when they stop drinking alcohol, so the only safe place for them to be is in the detox unit,' she said. 'They show up, they're on time, but they're intoxicated. Not a disruptive drunk, nothing (like that) — but turned away from the detox unit on a scheduled admission day for the symptoms of the illness.' Minister of housing, addictions, and homelessness Bernadette Smith says the policies are put in place to protect patients. Story continues below advertisement 'Those policies and practices are coming from experts in the field, so we trust the practices and policies put in place for folks,' Smith said. 'We want to make sure people aren't at the point where they can't be consenting.' The minister also said the NDP government has reduced the number of people being told to return to a RAAM clinic on another day, due to increasing capacity, including opening the RAAM clinic at the Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre. 'The number of people that have to come back is almost none,' Smith said. But that's not the case for Chorneyko's family member, who is now accessing addictions services in Ontario. She hopes Manitoba will review its policies around addiction services, something that, she says, would save lives. 'I just don't want my loved one to die.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store