Following the recent passage of Amendment 64 in Colorado, which legalized recreational marijuana possession of up to one ounce for those 21 and older, two Denver entrepreneurs have launched the country’s first marijuana tourism company.
Still, not everyone is thrilled about the budding industry. Prior to the passage of Amendment 64, many tourism officials were against marijuana legalization and warned potential pot tourists that the drug is illegal under federal law.
“Colorado’s brand will be damaged, and we may attract fewer conventions and see a decline in leisure travel,” said Visit Denver president Richard Scharf before the election.
Al White, the director of the Colorado Tourism Office, said he appreciates the “entrepreneurial spirit” driving My 420 Tours but he also believes pot tourism could harm the state’s outdoorsy, family-friendly image.
Is there an alternative to the short-term treatment plans that so many Addiction Practitioners suggest? Last Door had the opportunity to discuss this with CAMH Medical Advisor Dr. David Goldbloom.
Dr. David S. Goldbloom, MD, FRCPS Senior Medical Advisor, Centre for Addiction Medicine and Mental Health, Chair Mental Health Commission of Canada with Giuseppe Ganci, Community Development Last Door
In conversation Dr. Goldbloom stressed that the millions of North Americans who have mental health and addiction issues need time to heal. He reiterated his point made during the conference that most short term programs can barely complete acute withdrawal and struggle to get to the patient’s core issues. Patients need time to work on themselves, grow peer support and reconnect with loved ones.
Dr. Goldbloom expressed compassionately that patients require a continuum of care starting with early intervention, continuing through detox to residential treatment and supported by long-term aftercare. He acknowledged that “the abstinence recovery journey is the ultimate form of harm reduction” and that “abstinence must always be available as a choice and a goal for individuals with addictions.”
Commenting on a discussion of workplace wellness programs, Dr. Goldbloom explained his view that for far too long industries have been focusing only on hard hats, steel toe shoes and proper lifting for their employees with minimal or no consideration for an employee’s mental health. There is growing awareness that mental health issues cost employers financially as much as the cost of personal injuries. This cost alone ought to drive employers to tackle mental health issues with the same education, support, insurance and policies.
Last Door has for 30 years believed in, supported and delivered treatment that is evidence based requiring open-ended stays with minimum commitments of 90 days and long term continuing or after-care that involves the family, the employer and the community.
If you are an Employer, EAP Provider, Counsellor or Family Member who needs the support and services of an Addiction Doctor or other professional who will support long term treatment for long term recovery, contact us and we will restore hope to your employees, clients or loved ones.
Last Door also provides Continuing Care and Monitoring Programs for employees so they can return to work ready and able.
Call us today at 1-888-525-977.
Alberta Alumni Day
May 4th 2013
Red Deer, Alberta
3 pm to 8 pm
Reception, Family Group, Alumni Group, Kids Zone, Dinner
Alumni and their Families are invited as well as referral agents
Please RSVP by calling 1-888-525-9771
CrossRoads Church Conference Centre
38105 Range Rd 275 Red Deer County, AB T4A 2N4
Southwest corner of 32nd Street and Hwy #2, Red Deer, Alberta
The CACCF AGM will be held on Thursday June 20th, 2013 in Toronto, Ontario. Teleconference technology will be utilized for members who are unable to attend in person. Mark your calendars now as we invite all members to participate.
The CACCF (CEU Preapproved Courses) Calendar of Events has been recently updated with many CACCF preapproved educational events for members requiring CEUs to recertify. The Events Calendar is easily accessible from the CACCF home page and is formatted in a Adobe PDF format for easy download and viewing.
WIN $500
CACCF is pleased to announce that Issues of Substance 2013 will feature a poster competition sponsored by the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation. Two prizes of $500 each are being offered by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Institute of Neurosciences, Mental Health and Addiction.
New Deck and Yard Gardens and Composting Project is being implemented at both Last Door Youth Program and Adult Program Facilities.
My first contact with Last Door was in 1994 when I visited a loved one in treatment. I began my own recovery journey, attracted by the possibility of finding a drug-free way to live and with the support Last Door staff extends to family members. Some things close to my heart at Last Door include the delicious food and warm fellowship at mealtimes, the ever-evolving and well cared for environment, and the opportunity for every client to contribute where they can.
Image is a visual of what Last Door's Roof Top Garden will look like
In 2012 I started the UBC Farm Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture. For my final project I chose to design a compost/rooftop garden for a residential treatment facility, using Last Door as a model system. I was happy to see that the staff supported the idea of sustainable gardening and wanted to put the project into action.
I have met several times for planning with Peter, Blair, Jason, and Louise and we are now underway. For the 2013 growing season, I am pleased to have the opportunity to begin a pilot project to help assess potential benefits and challenges of integrating composting and food growing with Last Door’s food service and treatment program. So far, a 12′ x 30′ vegetable garden has been prepared and planting has begun at the Youth Facility. Both residents and staff are helping.
At the Adult program main house we identified the deck above the dining room as a suitable location for a small garden project. Thanks to help from staff and clients, planters are in place for a kitchen garden of herbs, greens, and tomatoes. I anticipate there will be some good growing times for both the crops and the clients in the gardens this summer.
Leslie “Straw Boss”
Last Door Family Program and Women’s Group Alumni
Youth Program Clients with Leslie planting vegetables at the Youth Facility.
Alumni of the Month, Rob L
I had been bouncing around various recovery houses and treatment centres for 5 years with some success along the way. I had a taste and knew that a better life was out there but I had no idea how to get there on my own. Defeated after my last relapse I decided to give the Last Door a try.
I soon realized that recovery could be fun when I met some like minded people who shared similar interests with me and got a chance to share my passion for mountain biking with others while I was in treatment. I went to group, did lots of written work and enjoyed the many recreational events Last Door offers.. but my best times were taking new guys downhill riding for their first time when there was some free time.
6 months later I left Last Door but unlike other places I had been too, I was always welcome back any time. Today I am living free from my past obsession with drugs.
I recently was able to finish my college education at BCIT and I like being an active member of New Westminster’s recovery community. I am 2 years clean now and a contributing member of society, a worthy father and a good family member.
Thank you Last Door for helping me find “a new way to live”.
Rob L
Clean Date: March 15, 2011
Last Door never stops its ability to find ways to improve client care. This year we started an Art Focused Group at the Youth Program with one of our artistic support workers guiding the process of expression through spray paint.
The purpose of the group was to work on unity, team work skills, self esteem and the chance to have a personnel investment in the house for new clients to see.
We witnessed a group of youth that where uncertain about their own capabilities to communicate and be creative. With the help of group dynamics and supervision; the group came alive and began to see the power of team work and the power of expression.
This group created a very hands on approach and was successful in getting them to drop the walls around there self defeating behaviours about not being creative.
The overall success of the group has made it possible to explore potential future projects and is another clear example of how here at Last Door we find therapeutic ways to show our clients that you can apply recovery in all areas of your life. The Group was such a success and the actual art piece is amazing!!! that we will look at carrying the group on to future clients.
Teaching residents the value of money
Educational curriculum modules that were offered to residents:
- Credit Cards
- Banking Concepts
- Budgeting
- Credit History and Scores
- Loans
- Loans You Don’t Want
- Preventing Identity Theft
Thank you Vancity
Unity App Official Launch Party
Celebrating the launch of Version 2
April 20th at the historical Colombia Theatre
Tickets $10 in advance
Featuring Dj Dave Ally and Drew Diggitty and
Debut Performance of “City Scene”
Attend to win door prizes
Last Door Youth Program Alumni Myles M, lead vocalist of the new band "City Scene" will debut their talents performing live at the Unity App Version Two Release Party
Like them on facebook
Better Times Productions, LLC. produces and distributes films targeted to provide inspirational solutions to individuals struggling to addictions. They recently revised their website and are now accepting credit cards on-line.