BIG DOPE FANS AT HOSPITAL

Fans that used to ventilate illegal pot operations are now cooling
sweltering hospital patients, courtesy of the police evidence locker.

Ottawa police delivered about 30 large oscillating fans on stands to Saint
Vincent's Hospital yesterday. Det. Cathy Brown said the fans were
confiscated in past criminal investigations.

"Given that they were no longer evidence, they were slated for
destruction," Brown said.

She said no more fans are available, so don't bother calling for handouts.
Nevertheless, hospital authorities were happy to get what was available.

"They won't go to waste," said Jonathan Lareau, a spokesman for the hospital.

He said the hospital appreciates the donation, but is more interested in
cash donations to help the building get a modern air-conditioning system.

Sweltering in oppressive summer heat has been a perennial problem for the
elderly and sick patients of Saint Vincent's who have no air conditioning
in their rooms.

The Cambridge St. hospital, last renovated in 1954, is air conditioned in
hallways, the auditorium and the cafeteria but only high-risk patients have
air-conditioned rooms.