"They Have a Name" human trafficking event to be held at Mount Royal University. 

The event will include a presentation by ACT and a celebration of the release of the book Human Trafficking: Exploring the International Nature,Concerns, and Complexities, edited by John Winterdyk, Benjamin Perrin and Philip Reichel. The book also contains a chapter co-authored by Julie Kaye (ACT Calgary coordinator) and John Winterdyk (a member of the board of directors of ACT) titled 'Explaining Human Trafficking'.

 The evening will also feature a reading of Act I of the play 'She Has a Name' performed by members of the Burnt Thicket Theatre along with a keynote address given by Yvon Dandurand, a leading international expert in human trafficking and criminal justice. More information on tickets for event can be found below. 

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 Calgary Police Service

Drug Unit

*** COMMUNITY ALERT***

DRUG ALERT - PMMA

Since June 2011, the Calgary Police Service is aware of eleven deaths that are believed related to ecstasy overdoses in Calgary and the surrounding communities of Strathmore, Red Deer and Nanton. Ecstasy is the street name commonly used for 3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). MDMA is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with hallucinogenic and amphetamine-like properties. Its chemical structure is similar to synthetic drugs MDA and methamphetamine. MDMA is also known as “E” and “X-TC”. A review of the eleven deaths reveals:

o Toxicology results for nine of the eleven deaths have confirmed paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) as the dominant drug with MDMA.
o Toxicology findings have yet to be released for one of the most recent deaths.
o All of the overdose deaths are male.
o The age range of the overdose victims is 15 to 43 years, with only two of the victims being under the age of 18.
o Ecstasy in the form of a powdery substance or capsules appears to be a common link to the deaths. Although the powder is the most common link it is very easy to make the powder into tablets with the use of a press. THERE IS NO SAFE ECSTASY.

ECSTASY-RELATED DEATHS

o MDMA-related deaths are caused by complications of “malignant hyperthermia/hyperpyrexia” or what most people would call heatstroke.
o PMMA is an analogue. PMMA (Para-Methoxyamphetamine) is similar to MDMA in effects. At high doses the side effects and danger of death are severe.
o PMMA has a slow onset of effects so there is a tendency to take more. Characteristic symptoms are elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, along with agitation, confusion and convulsions. An overdose can result in cerebral hemorrhage.
o It is believed that PMMA is being added to MDMA due its ease of availability and lower cost than MDMA.

FORMS OF ECSTASY
While ecstasy has previously been observed mainly in tablet form a transition to powder and to capsules containing ecstasy powder has been noted. The powder may be snorted or ingested orally.

For further information please reference the Calgary Police Service website at www.calgarypolice.ca. Anyone with information about ecstasy trafficking are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 or the Calgary Police Drug Tip Line at 403-428-8100.

The Centre for Criminology and Justice Research next Brown Bag Series is Friday, February 10th, 2012.

Guest speaker Dr. Gus Brannigan from the University of Calgary will be discussing the attempts of societies to curb genocidal behaviour.

When: 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 10th, 2012

Where:  Room EA2010, Mount Royal University

There is no need to register.

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