The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 11, 2012 · 6 Opinion & Letters 467 Speers Rd., Oakville Ont. L6K 3S4 (905) 845-3824 Fax: 337-5571 Classified Advertising: 632-4440 Circulation: 845-9742 --Open 9-5 weekdays, 5-7 for calls only Wed. to Friday, Closed weekends Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. The Oakville Beaver THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Canadian Circulation Audit Board Member THE OAKVILLE BEAVER IS PROUD OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR FOR: Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Suburban Newspapers of America Canadian Community Newspapers Association ATHENA Award Neil Oliver Vice ­ President and Group Publisher of Metroland West The OakvilleBeaver is a division of David Harvey Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Editor in Chief Daniel Baird Advertising Director ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor Riziero Vertolli Photography Director Sandy Pare Business Manager MARK DILLS Director of Production Manuel garcia Production Manager CHARLENE HALL Director of Distribution Sarah McSweeney Circ. Manager There's a new drug in Halton that's reportedly being used by half of the Ontario youths surveyed about their habits. While it is not illegal to possess it or consume it, Halton Region's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Nosal is concerned its misuse could have fatal consequences. Although binge drinking among Ontario's youth is down slightly in the latest provincial survey of student drug use, a new, previously-unreported behaviour has emerged in a 2011 provincial survey of young people in the province. For the first time, high-caffeine energy drinks were included in last year's edition of the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey. A recent report to Halton regional council noted 50 per cent of Ontario students asked, reported having consumed an energy drink in the last year -- 19 per cent within a week of being surveyed. The potential for misuse and abuse of easily-accessible high-energy drinks has some health professionals concerned. While binge alcohol drinking -- having five or more drinks on one occasion -- was down slightly at 24 per cent in the latest Ontario youth survey, Nosal worries the combination of consuming energy drinks with alcohol could have deadly consequences. According to the report, a single energy drink when mixed with alcohol will decrease someone's perception of feeling drunk, which tends to lead to more drinking and increases the risk of alcohol poisoning. "The biggest concern is mixing these drinks with alcohol and binge drinking," said Nosal. We hope these concerns, via parents and educators, make their way to local youths so they can make wise choices. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Warning signs The price of fighter jets I have been watching the controversy over the F-35 fighter jet program. From my perspective, after you take away excuses and political spin, there are only two possible explanations as to what has happened: either the federal government lied to the Canadian public or it had no idea what the cost would really be. Based on the Auditor General report, the Stephen Harper government knew the cost of the F-35 was not $14.7 billion, but as stated in the report the "actual estimated cost may be $25-billion, which does not include estimates of ongoing maintenance and other costs." Before, during and after the last election, Mr. Harper, MP Peter McKay and the rest of the Conservative Party assured Canadians we would not pay more than $14.7 billion. When the parliamentary budget officer stated, in March 2011, that the cost would exceed $14.7 billion and be closer to $29.3 billion, Harper and McKay stated that the number was ridiculous. We now know the truth. If, in fact, Harper and McKay did not know the true cost of the F-35 program, then they are completely incompetent as managers of a $25-billion project. If they were misled by bureaucrats, competent management should have questioned the low cost when not only the parliamentary budget officer, but also the United States government was questioning the program's total cost. You might also state Harper and McKay cannot oversee every project, however, we are not talking about a $25-million project, but rather a $25-billion project -- of taxpayers money. I suspect it is a little of both. As the MP for Oakville and a representative for the citizens of Oakville, I would ask Terence Young if he is going to stand up for his constituents, find out which of the above two reasons are true and ask for the resignation of both Harper and McKay. Please do the right thing. Dale Martin, Oakville Letter to the editor Letters to the editor The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville, ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to editor@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. On Monday, April 2, in the late afternoon, my husband, while cycling on Burnhamthorpe Road near Sixth Line, was involved in a freak attack, by a Canada goose no less. The crash into the large bird threw him to the road, where he landed on his elbow, knee, and hip. As a result, his pelvis was broken in several places. Thanks to Good Samaritans We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the other rider nearby (who was also attacked), and the drivers that stopped to help. The care and concern shown by these men was heart-warming; one provided blankets from his car, and they all stayed and provided moral and physical support until the ambulance came. A special thank you to Ed Leyer, who brought Mike's bike back home while we travelled to the hospital. It is comforting to know that there are kind and considerate folks who take time to help those in need. You are very special people, and we will be forever grateful for your help and support. Cynthia and Mike Talbot, Oakville Bravo to MP Terence Young We say bravo to Oakville MP Terence Young for his letter advocating a challenge to the recent Ontario Court of Appeal that struck down the ban on brothels and living off the avails of prostitution. We are proud that Oakville elected such a clear-headed leader to promote the common good of all. Using facts, he calls a spade a spade; there is nothing good about prostitution. Helena and Henry Karabela, Oakville