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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: Recognizes Rising Star Awards PAGE 24
‘A Higher Love:’ A talk with author/antimarijuana activist Heather Bacchus BY ERIK SUCHY STAFF WRITER
If there is something Heather and Randy Bacchus never wanted to experience, it was the death of their son, Randy Bacchus III. In July 2021, Randy tragically committed suicide after suffering a long and harrowing marijuana addiction which exacerbated feelings of anxiety, depression and suicidal tendencies. After his death, the two have taken to speaking out on the dangers of marijuana, cannabis and THC use. Heather has also published a book, “A Higher Love: A Journey Through Addiction, CannabisInduced Psychosis, Suicide and Redemption,” that details Randy’s struggles from his youth through his passing. Press Publications sat down with Heather to discuss her book, what she wants others to take away from Randy’s story and the risks still posed today regarding addiction among minors.
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
The “Vision and Verse” exhibit is on display at the White Bear Center for the Arts through May 16.
‘Vision and Verse’ puts youth creativity on display BY LOGAN GION CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For the past 10 years, White Bear Center for the Arts (WBCA) has hosted a visual
work for nearly 40 years. Now, the two competitions are being displayed together at WBCA, in an exhibition known as “Vision and Verse.”
arts competition for northeast metro students grades 9-12. Separately, WBCA’s “WriteNow!” writing competition has displayed local teens’
Creative Services Director Sara Nephew explained that all submissions were free and anonymous.
Q: What inspired you to write “A Higher Love,” and what was the turning point where you felt this story needed to be told? A: Immediately after losing our son in July of 2021, I decided that I wanted to start writing down our son’s life story so I would not forget. About three months after Randy Michael passed, a friend handed me an article in People magazine. There was a story about a mom in Colorado who
SEE ‘VISION AND VERSE,’ PAGE 9
SEE A HIGHER LOVE, PAGE 24
White Bear Lake EMS on leading edge of medical care BY SHANNON GRANHOLM MANAGING EDITOR
Starting in May, the White Bear Lake Fire Department will likely be the first agency in the state, and certainly in the metro, to treat patients with IV acetaminophen instead of an opioid. Regions EMS Clinical Supervisor Matthew Cannefax said he wasn’t sure about agencies outside of their coverage area but confirms that White Bear Lake is the first EMS service in the metro to administer an intravenous form of acetaminophen, a non-opioid analgesic utilized for treating pain and fever. IV acetaminophen is already used as an option for pain in hospital settings, but Cannefax and
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lot of very progressive paramedics. When I go to do education with them and case review, a lot of times those paramedics already know about the studies that I'm bringing up. They like to push the envelope … They are always trying to get what's new and what's most effective on their ambulances.” Many ambulance services carry the oral form of the drug, which is either 250 mg or 500 mg. The IV dose is equivalent to 1 gram, or 1,000 mg, a prescription-strength dose. Fire Chief Greg Peterson says the department is seeing more and more patients who do not want to be exposed to opioids. “Right now, we
his team learned at a national conference about ambulance services around the country that were starting to utilize it. “It really kind of piqued my interest. I thought that it would be a very good option for some of the services,” Cannefax said. “We want to have a non-opioid option on our pain medication playlist.” White Bear Lake was selected for what will likely be a six-month trial. “White Bear Lake is a very EMS-minded service. The leadership there all has history and experience in EMS, so when we thought about what service would be good to trial this with, White Bear was the first service that came to mind,” Cannefax explained. “They also have a
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