Judge Les Grieve took time during the sentencing of an inmate from the Drumheller Institution to clarify the intentions of a statement he made at the conclusion of a fatality inquiry this year.
    Last Friday, Johnathen Glover appeared in provincial court in Drumheller to plead guilty to simple possession of drugs.
    The court heard, how on July 30 of this year, corrections officers, doing a range walk, took note of cannabis resin on a lip balm cap that Glover possessed. The institution value of the find was about $900. The Crown and defence agreed on a joint submission of 60 days consecutive to his sentence.
    Before Grieve delivered his sentence, he addressed media reports from earlier this fall, where it was implied from his statements that the war on drugs has been lost.
    In the conclusion of a fatality report into the death of Cory Stewart Mountain, which was released earlier this fall, Grieve stated, “The so-called 'war on drugs,' in my humble view is a war which cannot be won.”
    The report showed that Mountain was able to obtain three drugs, which overwhelmed him and caused his death.
    A report from the media suggested Grieve said the war on drugs was lost. He indicated the war on drugs was much like the war on poverty, crime and terrorism.
    “This is not a war that society 'wins.' These are battles to be constantly fought to keep casualties to a minimum.”
    He went on to point out the reports imply that judges have given up.
    “Judges are committed to putting all offenders, including the drug addicted on a healthy path in life,” he said.

    The Cretaceous garden has drastically changed from a lush forest to a barren field. Renovations have begun with the goal of revitalizing the garden.
    “One of things we’re looking to do is provide more accessibility in the garden,” said Lisa Making, Director of Exhibits and Communications. “We want to also provide more interpretation as to what plant life in Drumheller was like during the Cretaceous.”
    The garden is now closed off to the public and the plants and animals have been relocated.
    Students from Olds College assisted museum staff in removing plants. The plants will be relocated to Olds College, where they will be cared for until the garden is ready.
    Lear Construction is handling the renovations. The plan is to have a raised boardwalk through the garden. Visitors will now walk over the plants rather than through them.
    Throughout the renovations, newly appointed gardener Dawn Christian will be working closely with researchers to rebuild the story that the garden represents.
    Other projects the Royal Tyrrell Museum are working on include continuing the work done earlier this year at the Hoodoos near East Coulee.
    “We’ll be adding additional signage and addressing some health and safety concerns,” said Andrew Neuman, Executive Director.
    Construction in the garden will continue until next March. The plants will be returning in April. However, Neuman added it will take time for the plants to reestablish themselves.
    “It’s a chance for us to rebuild the space,” said Making. “It’s really exciting.”