Paragraphs two & three read: "Lorraine Bernard, 47, of Sarnia pleaded guilty to the Feb. 21 possession of oxycodone for trafficking and another variety of painkiller."

"Bernard had no related criminal record."

Paragraphs ten & eleven read: "A depression caused by multiple deaths in her family had been getting worse, she said."

"She had been taking anti-depressants for 15 years."

http://www.theobserver.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1664426

Drug-dealing mom depressed

Posted 17 hours ago

NEIL BOWEN

The Observer

A mother who dealt drugs while her teenage son watched was jailed for six months Monday in Sarnia court.

Lorraine Bernard, 47, of Sarnia pleaded guilty to the Feb. 21 possession of oxycodone for trafficking and another variety of painkiller.

Bernard had no related criminal record.

A police raid on her Sarnia apartment found a drug deal underway involving a man. There were pills and cash on a bed.

“There you were, involved in the drug trade right in front of your child,” said Justice Deborah Austin.

One hundred pills, $1,200 in cash , debt lists and prescription bottles with other persons' names on them were found in a search.

Illegal use of painkillers has become a “very serious problem” in the community that is bringing people before the courts every day, said Austin.

Drug dealing may be tempting to people as easy money, but the message must be sent that it’s simply not worth it, she said.

“I know what I did was wrong. I am done with that. I’ve been staying clean since then,” said Bernard.

A depression caused by multiple deaths in her family had been getting worse, she said.

She had been taking anti-depressants for 15 years.

Austin recommended Bernard receive help for her depression and substance abuse while in jail.

She was also placed on a year’s probation, when she must take drug abuse treatment and seek help for depression.

nbowen@theobserver.ca