Direct Action

Canadian Government increasing support for Addicts

- Vanessa King

Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh announced yesturday that $851,000 in federal funding will be spent to help curb the crystal meth abuse by first nations across Canada. More than 340 aboriginal addictions counsellors and health workers will be trained in how to counsel addicts of methamphetamine. Measures to help prevent the use of crystal meth will also be part of the 30 hour certification program that the counsellors will learn at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies.

“By training these skilled and experienced community workers in the prevention of crystal meth abuse, we are strengthening our response to this very serious health threat.” Dosanjh says.

Dosanjh has also reaffirmed Health Canada’s plan to spend, over the next three years, more than $6 million of its $29-million Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund on anti-drug programs geared to the West, considered to be one of the worst areas for meth and heroin addiction. Raising awareness and creating better support for users of meth and other debilitating drugs is a much needed step towards minimizing serious chemical dependancy in our communities.

Wal-Mart Starting to Sweat

- Adam Clare

A suit has been filed in Los Angeles against Wal-Mart for overlooking sweatshop working conditions in a few countries. Workers in six countries launched the class-action lawsuit and lists 15 workers in Bangladesh, Swaziland, Indonesia, China, and Nicaragua.

The plantiffs claim that they were beaten, forced to work overtime – unpaid. Four California planitiffs are also listed, who at first glance seem to have a much weaker case since they claim that Wal-Mart forced their employer to cut wages and benefits.

The class action suit could cover 100,000 to 500,000 workers.

Pee Power!

- Adam Clare

The Register is reporting that “[r]esearchers in Singapore have developed a paper battery that is powered by urine. Despite sounding gloriously silly, the breakthrough promises a cheap and disposable power source for home health tests for things like diabetes.”

Go on and read more about the power your urine has.

These Shoes are Made for Planting

- Adam Clare 1 Comment

good sandal of seedA group of people, LIFT, have created something really keen – sandals that seed.

The Johnny Apple Sandal has seeds in it that are distributed when you walk around. Like all sandals the sole wears thin, but contained within the soles of the Apple Sandal are the seeds.

The seeds inside of the sandal grow plants that break down harmful things in the environment.

The Kindness of Strangers

- Vanessa King

In the disasterous aftermath of hurricane Katrina it can seem almost impossible to look on the bright side of things. However in these kinds of trying times the kindness of everyday citizens can really make apparent the basic goodness we all share as humans on planet Earth. For example the 42 man volunteer rescue crew from BC who arrived in New Orleans on Thursday are just one of many groups of people lending their support where government officials are lacking. The team is the first and only urban search-and-rescue team deployed and operating in the area and is made up of police officers, ambulance personnel, doctors, firefighters, hydraulics experts and three search dogs.

With people like these and numerous other random ‘strangers’ selflessly lending their support it really brings to light that the goodness of people can be a powerful force indeed. A slightly nicer place to dwell than in the neglegent shadow of certain political leaders.

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