A new study from UBC suggests that marijuana, long feared by some as a "gateway" to drug abuse generally, may  be able to act as a gateway in the other direction:  it could have a medical use in helping people recover from alcoholism and opioid addiction.  But more research is needed. “Research suggests that people may be...

The updated statistics from the BC Coroners Service released Wednesday show the number of illicit drug overdose deaths has increased over the month of October. The BC Coroners Service said for the first 10 months of 2016, the number of illicit drug overdoses was 622, compared to 397 for the same period last year. The total ...

British Columbia’s Chief Electoral Officer, Keith Archer, has granted approval in principle on an initiative petition application. The petition will be issued to proponent Joshua Henshaw on Monday, January 9, 2017. The title of the initiative is: An initiative to amend the Fire and Police Services Collective Bargaining Act....

Interior Health board member John O’Fee of Kamloops has been appointed incoming chair of the board of directors, to replace current board chair Erwin Malzer when he completes his tenure on Dec. 31, 2016. “In his 10 years as a director and two years as board chair, Malzer has served Interior Health with distinction, with a...

Every year in Canada, about 12,200 people are hospitalized and 3,500 people die from influenza or its complications.   The public can help themself and those around stay healthy, prevent illness and potentially save lives in one easy step – by getting your annual flu shot. Nelson Flu Vaccine Schedule Castlegar Flu Vaccine...

The sale of the Trail Smoke Eaters BCHL hockey team will be a fantastic boost for the community, according to Smoke Eaters president Tom Gawryletz. Despite the tremendous support of the Trail Smoke Eater Society, public volunteers and its staff, the future of the community-run hockey team remained uncertain, until now. The ...

An immediate response by the Castlegar RCMP may have contributed to a man surviving a dire medical situation this past Saturday in Castlegar. On Sept. 17, at 9 a.m., officers with the Castlegar RCMP were approached in the detachment parking lot by individuals looking for assistance with a male who had collapsed while preparing...

This Labour Day, members of the Hospital Employees’ Union are joining Canadians across the country in celebrating the contributions working people make towards building a healthier, fairer, more equitable society. But as we enjoy the holiday with family and friends, let’s remember the hard-won accomplishments our seniors have...

Laws around the sale, promotion and use of e-cigarettes are now in effect. The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act is designed to protect youth from the unknown effects of e-cigarette vapour and from becoming addicted to nicotine, which is why it treats e-cigarette use exactly the same as tobacco, with the same bans and...

Many Rosslanders recall the unfortunate separation of a devoted senior couple so that they could more conveniently (for IHA) be housed in different facilities, in different towns.  While separated, one of the couple died.  The resulting, and well-justified, outcry may have resulted in changes to the practice of deciding which...