People First Media program archive
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On smoking and mental illness

May 26th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on On smoking and mental illness)

A look at the ethics of smoking bans in psychiatric facilities and the dynamics of a consumer-driven stop-smoking program 

According to the World Health Report 2001, people with psychiatric illnesses are about twice as likely to smoke as others; those with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence are particularly likely to be heavy smokers, with rates as high as 86%. A 2000 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that individuals with psychiatric illnesses had a smoking rate of 41% compared with 22.5% in the general population, and estimated that 44% of all cigarettes smoked in the United States are consumed by people with psychiatric illnesses. (more…)

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Medical marijuana laws struck down

May 19th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Medical marijuana laws struck down)

Judge notes overwhelming, undermining refusal of doctors to participate in Canada’s medical marijuana program

On April 11, 2011, a ruling by an Ontario judge struck down Canada’s medical marijuana laws and the laws dealing with cannabis possession and production, giving the government 90 days to fix the program. The ruling stemmed from the constitutional challenge of Matthew Mernagh, a man who relies on medical marijuana to ease pain brought on by fibromyalgia, scoliosis, seizures and depression. (more…)

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Journey in from the wilderness

May 19th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

A candid account of one person’s transgender experience, grounded in faith, pilgrimage, and hope

“In from the Wilderness” is the story of a transgender man who has been an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church since 1984 and has quietly served his congregations for twenty-eight years before sharing his story and spiritual journey with his congregation, denomination, and the world.

Rev. David Weekley stepped into the pulpit of the Epworth United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon, on August 30, 2009, to share his story for the first time. When he finished his message, the congregation burst into applause. Now, David shares his story in a new book from Wipf and Stock Publishers. (more…)

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On busting Nanaimo’s buskers

May 19th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on On busting Nanaimo’s buskers)

As the City works to revise its busking bylaw, buskers challenge perceptions and stereotypes about their craft

“The City of Nanaimo is reviewing its street entertainer bylaws and considering changes to how and where buskers can perform. To some people buskers are street-level musicians—making an honest living with their talents. To others—they are just loud panhandlers who should be told to move along.” [Source: A Channel News, opens to YouTube]

The City says that the goal of the bylaw is to balance the interests of businesses, residents and those want to have music on Nanaimo’s streets. But buskers have launched an online Facebook page protesting the bylaw, which has been in place since 2004. Cathy Davis alleges arbitrary enforcement of the bylaw, while well-known busker Tim Lander (pictured above) was recently fined for playing in the wrong place at the wrong time, an incident which has raised awareness of the situation. (more…)

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