sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½

Wetland solution needed at UVic

The recent story about restoration of wetlands, a subject that I have an interest in and have some experience in, referred to the research group POLIS Water Sustainability Project, which is based at the University of Victoria.

Old maps and photographs show that large areas of what is now the University of Victoria was made up of marsh land that is effectively the headwaters or source of one arm of Bowker Creek. The other arm originates near Cedar Hill Golf Course.

When we were younger, about 60 years ago, we would play in these marshy areas and catch frogs.

I wonder if there are any plans being developed by POLIS that reflect the statement made by group leader Oliver Brandes — “Stop paving over groundwater recharge areas” — that would reduce the developed areas of UVic

Norman Jackson

Victoria

Drug overdoses are killing our youth

Drug overdoses now the leading cause of death among British Columbia youth and youth of Victoria ages 10 to 18, data shows.

Only in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Not any other province, and not in the United States. Fatal overdoses from opioids and other illicit drugs are now the leading cause of death for youth aged 10 to 18 in sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½, a development that underscores the urgency of the province’s toxic drug crisis.

Before sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½’s 2023 experiment, accidents were the leading cause of death in children 10-18.

The NDP has created this problem with decriminalization. We are hitting year one of this three-year experiment. There are three children from ages 12-13 that are actively addicted to fentanyl who used to be able to attend my son’s middle school.

You have to do something! You have to let the public know. The NDP has failed us in so many ways and it has to stop. How many more kids need to die before change can happen.

Please, please do something. These children purchase “safe supply ” on the streets and in schools for $2 a pill. This is where it begins.

Lori Poppe

Saanich

Let’s move beyond oppression and wars

A recent letter in the Comment section sparked a moment to reflect and act. Olha Chaplia wrote about her gratitude and feeling of safety and unity when seeing indications of support for her native country.

Seeing the Ukrainian flag or supportive blue and yellow colours evoked those feelings. I understood her explanation of the power of symbols so I immediately attached a Ukrainian flag to our house.

As humans, we have used symbols for millennia. They become representations of our group identity; a vision of cohesiveness and future hope. However, at times symbols become something darker.

I still recall the dark symbolism of the Berlin Wall. After its destruction the world moved closer to a broader, more inclusive unity. In 1993 the European Union was formed and a new flag joined the pantheon of symbols.

A vision of closer ties was becoming a political reality in Europe.

Mankind needs to identify principles that can unite all and enshrine our highest hopes and aspirations. We need to move beyond oppression and ruinous wars. All live on one small, fragile and beautiful planet. We must learn to live together and solve difficult problems.

But here we are, with wars still raging and innocent lives destroyed. Justice must prevail and oppressive, tyrannical regimes must learn that invasion of a sovereign nation will not be tolerated.

Justice will become one of the pillars upon which world unity will be raised and this will produce a new global symbol!

Garry Antinuk

Victoria

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