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Ecstasy deaths lead to calls for new approaches

September 27th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Ecstasy deaths lead to calls for new approaches)

The federal government reinforces criminalization, parents call for education, and doctors and others encourage accurate knowledge about MDMA

22 British Columbians have died in the last 18 months after using the popular party drug Ecstasy. The drug had been, in some case, been tainted with paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), a substance five times more toxic than ordinary Ecstasy, or MDMA.

The tragic deaths of the young people involved has led to a range of responses. Some schools are hoping to increase the drug literacy of their students, using curriculum prepared by The Centre for Addictions Research of B.C. at the University of Victoria. (more…)

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Prostitution case can proceed, Supreme Court decides

September 27th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

The federal government had argued that the individuals and non-profit groups involved had no right to bring the case to court

A court case was launched in British Columbia in 2008 by an organization of sex workers and one former sex worker challenging the constitutionality of Criminal Code provisions dealing with adult prostitution. That case was dismissed by the B.C. Supreme Court in part because the trial judge found that the group did not have “public interest standing” to bring the case to court. The decision was overturned, but the federal government then appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada. (more…)

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CCS board member helps launch United Way campaign

September 22nd, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on CCS board member helps launch United Way campaign)


Columbian Centre board member Mark Willott spoke at the kick-off breakfast for the United Way’s campaign in central Vancouver Island, held in Nanaimo on Friday, September 21st. CTV Vancouver Island covered the event, and later interviewed Mark and Columbian Centre executive director Tom Grauman.  (more…)

Hoarding horrors lead to task force

September 20th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Hoarding horrors lead to task force)

Hoarding is primarily an issue of mental health, but its effects can be very dangerous to safety as well

Hoarding is defined by the Mayo Clinic as the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets in unsanitary conditions. Hoarding involves obsessively collecting objects to the point of risking one’s own health—or the health and safety of others—and it has become so widespread that the psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders is considering listing the disorder in its next edition. (more…)

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Can empathy be taught?

September 20th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Can empathy be taught?)

Empathy, compassion, understanding, awareness—what happens when we try to put ourselves into others’ shoes?

Empathy is a relatively common word, but it’s also a concept that is poorly understood. It’s sometimes confused with sympathy, pity, or feeling sorry for someone. According to Edith Stein, a German phenomenologist, empathy can be facilitated. It also can be interrupted and blocked, but it cannot be forced to occur. When empathy occurs, we find ourselves experiencing it, rather than directly causing it to happen. [Reference here in PDF] (more…)

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Congratulations Andy Sibbald for completing the Great Lake Walk!

September 18th, 2012 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (0 Comments)

On September 15, 2012 Andy Sibbald successfully completed the 56 km Great Lake Walk (breaking his personal best by over 1 hour). Andy raised over $600 (and a few blisters) for Columbian Centre Society. CCS would like to thank Andy and his fans for supporting Columbian Centre Society.

The Great Lake Walk and Ultramarathon is a 56 km walk or run around beautiful Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This walking/running event takes place on the third Saturday in September each year. The next walk is September 21st, 2013.