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- July 23 - Brain injuries rising as opioid crisis continues
July 23 - Brain injuries rising as opioid crisis continues
Stone garage celebrated by community, fake nurse pleads guilty, regulations dropped for dogs at border
Capital Daily Team
July 23, 2024
Good morning !
A community celebration took place to honour the historic small stone garage on Hollywood Crescent, slated to be demolished soon. Have you seen this little structure with tulips growing from the roof?
— Robyn
Have you seen the stone garage? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Brain injuries an emerging epidemic amid the opioid crisis
Mauricio Garcia-Barrera (third from the left) with UVic graduate students. Photo: UVic
The dangers of the toxic drug crisis have continued to rise since the provincial health emergency began eight years ago. Much of the focus has been on the deaths that occur or nearly occur as a result of using toxic drugs. But another epidemic is emerging for those who survive an overdose: Brain injuries.
Research conducted by UVic, led by clinical psychologist Mauricio Garcia-Barrera, has highlighted the link between overdoses and brain injury.
The research study took place over three separate consensus day events at the school—one occurring each year since 2022—bringing together 100-200 participants each year, exploring factors and concerns around brain injuries.
The third day took place last month. The data from this year’s consensus event is still being collected by the team, but Garcia-Barrera says key learnings showed the prevalence of brain injury among those living without housing—and that housing stability significantly improves the risk of dealing with these injuries. The opioid crisis hangs heavy over both of these concerns.
Researchers describe the problem as a chicken-or-the-egg situation—brain injuries can lead to substance use; an overdose from a toxic drug can lead to a brain injury.
Island researchers are pushing for change on a local, provincial, and national level to address the intersections of homelessness, substance use and brain injuries.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closure: Quadra between Hillside and Finlayson is closed northbound for road maintenance from today until Fri.
Splash pads temporarily closed at Rutledge and Beckwith Park. [Info]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
It takes a village to celebrate a landmark
Photo: Sidney Coles / Capital Daily
A cherished stone cottage on Hollywood Crescent, slated for demolition by developers, received a heartfelt tribute this month, drawing a diverse crowd of Victoria’s historians, politicians, and community leaders. Built by Andy and Margarete Gjelsten, the cottage has become a symbol of historical significance and community spirit.
The event, organized by Rosemary Sleigh and supported by a My Great Neighbourhood grant, gathered a notable ensemble including former city councillors, TV personalities, musicians, and architectural historians. Eleanor and Freida Gjelsten, daughters of the original owners, reminisced about their parents’ meticulous work on the cottage and the property’s vibrant gardens. That garden extended onto the rooftop of the stone structure where daffodils bloomed each spring.
At the event, Victoria architectural historian Hal Kalman and former city councillor Pam Madoff emphasized the importance of preserving Victoria’s architectural heritage, particularly poignant as the cottage faces redevelopment. Neighbours like Wilford Castle expressed newfound appreciation for the cottage’s rich history, stirred by the touching speeches and historical anecdotes shared during the gathering.
Despite discrepancies in historical records about the original house on the property, the event underscored the community's desire to honour the legacy of the Gjelsten family and their enduring contribution to Victoria’s cultural tapestry. Sentiments echoed by attendees suggested a strong hope for more sensitive development solutions to the need for more housing in the city.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🌝 Full moon rising over Dallas Road. [Photos]
🎶 Busking locations in Victoria: See where performers (including jury-selected and amateur) will be entertaining the city this summer. [Map]
🤝 Now hiring: Nurse Practitioner (Contract Position) at Sprout Family Health.
🗞️ In Other News
UVic Pro-Palestine encampment dismantled after trespassing notice served
The encampment came down yesterday morning, in accordance with the 8am deadline set by the school’s trespassing notice, which was served on Sat. Students erected the camp on May 1 protesting the university’s financial ties to companies backing Israel. Students rejected the university’s final offer in negotiations, saying UVic officials did not meaningfully engage with their demands. [Times Colonist]
Saanich woman to swim from Brentwood Bay to Jericho Beach for charity
Jill Yoneda will swim 109 km—taking roughly 50-60 hours—from the Island to Vancouver to raise funds for Canuck Place. Despite a spate of injuries throughout her open-water swimming career, she’s managed to swim back and forth across the Georgia Strait and from Victoria to Port Angeles, raising $16K for Canuck Place. Her swim begins Aug. 9. [Victoria News]
US drops planned regulations on dogs crossing border
The plans announced in May would have required those crossing the border with their dog fill out multiple forms to prove their pup is free of rabies, including vaccine status, photos of the dog’s teeth and a vet’s signature. Canadian officials worked to get an exemption or delay in the policy given Canada’s rabies-free status. The plans were cancelled yesterday. [Yahoo/CP]
Fake nurse pleads guilty to assaulting patients by IV injection
Brigitte Cleroux, 52, forged documents under the name Melanie Smith to get nursing jobs in Victoria and Vancouver. She “treated” over 1K patients in multiple hospitals—despite complaints of her conduct and poor nursing skills, she was continuously able to get jobs. She administered incorrect medication and caused nerve damage in a patient after several failed IV insertions. She’s currently serving time in Ontario for impersonating a nurse. [CBC]
🗓️ Things to do
⛵ Tall Ship Day Tour: Take a sailing day trip aboard a historical ship. Today. 9am. [Info]
🎵 Folk Music Series: Richard Garvey and Bandurist Georgiy Matviyiv will perform at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 6-8pm. [Info]
🎥 Wicked Little Letters at Cinecenta: The mystery comedy film starring Olivia Colman will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 5pm and 7pm. [Info]
🎶 Music at Ship Point: The Emmett Hodgins Trio will perform jazz music in the Inner Harbour. Today. 6-7pm. [Info]
Looking for something to do this weekend? Subscribe to This Week In Vic to get the full list of what’s on this week.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Monday’s headlines: Series about Saanich murder receives Emmy nomination; Greater Victoria sees haze as wildfires continue; Westshore’s tallest building nearly complete; and more. [July 22]
What are your common gestures and movements? Victoria Artist in Residence Kemi Craig wants to know for a new art project.
Green Day in Beacon Hill Park, 23 years ago. [Photos]
A big moon rises over Pacific Rim National Park. [Doug Clement]
Hwy 17 overnight construction on Thursday for work on Keating overpass.
Right up close with a wasp on a Nanaimo flower. [Photo]
Current construction in Victoria. [Map]
That’s it!
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