QW STORE OWNERS VOLUNTARILY PULL DRUG

The legally sold hallucinogenic drug known as Salvia is off the
shelves in Quinte West.

Salvia was sold in three convenience stores in Trenton ward, according
to city officials.

City bylaw officers hand delivered 20 letters last Wednesday
requesting convenience store owners/operators voluntarily pull the
mood-enhancing drug from shelves.

By Friday city officials confirmed owners/operators had complied with
the request.

Salvia is sold legally despite attempts by community groups and
municipalities to have the substance banned by provincial and federal
governments.

City officials will do a follow-up visit with the store
owners.

Trent Community Corrections chairman George Fraser said the
organization has worked hard in the past several months to convince
local politicians to take a "proactive" step in ridding the city of
the substance.

"This is great news. We're grateful the city has managed to get it off
the shelves. Salvia puts the health of teenagers at risk," said Fraser.

Quinte West Mayor John Williams said the vast majority of store owners
didn't know Salvia existed, or could be legally sold.

Two of the three stores actually had Salvia stocked and on shelves. A
third owner said the substance would not be reordered.