southern alberta opium production feasibility study

Suits Associates International

A study to determine the feasibility of opium production in Southern Alberta,

for pharmaceutical use.

AgendaLiterature ReviewResearch QuestionHypothesisResearch ObjectivesResearch Methods

Strategy and PhilosophySetting and SampleData Collection

Research EthicsIssuesIncentives

Time Scale and ResourcesWhat Lies Ahead…?

Background: Literature SourcesDeductive Approach to

ResearchSecondary Literature

Sources: Magazines and News Reports

Business Week Alberta Venture CBC

Market for Medicinal Poppies

$7.4 of poppy-related pharmaceutical products imported last year

Canada imports $100 Million in opium annuallyFor use in

pharmaceutical drugs, ex. morphine and codeine

Canada is the largest per capita consumer of codeine in the world

Dollars and SensePoppies will pay more

than any other cropUp to $6000/hectareCompared to

$2000/hectare for Wheat

API Labs Inc.$40 million pharmaceutical

plant near Lethbridge150 new jobs$300 million injected

annually into the local economy

Political Issues: International

International Law:Twenty countries allowed to grow opium poppies

Canada: All parts of the poppy are illegal, except for the

seeds Only G8 country that can claim this

Political Issues: InfrastructureBob Tarlick:

“We don’t want bikers running this”Afghanistan:

92% of world opium supplyWarlords, corruption and illegal drugs

Canada: Has the infrastructure

Steven Harper’s $64 million stance Biggest hurdle: Health Canada

Political Issues…?Largely disappear if

there are no illegal uses for these poppies

Peter FacchiniScientist and

acclaimed U of C professorWorking on

genetically modified poppies

No illegal implications

Still useful for medicinal purposes

Research Question: Research Question: Will public opinion and legalities

permanently hinder bringing poppies to Southern Alberta?

Hypothesis:Hypothesis:Huge financial gains, a strong infrastructure

and genetically modified plants will make poppy-growing a reality.

Research Objectives1. Determine support or opposition at

various political levels2. Determine public opinion3. Determine the progress of scientific

advances relating to this topic

Research StrategyCompile Primary Data

for Canada

Mixed-Method Mixed-Method ApproachApproachQuantitative

Telephone SurveyQualitative

Personal Interviews

Research PhilosophyFunctional PositivismFunctional Positivism

Independent third-party research firm

Problem-orientated approachSeeking rational solutions through

operational recommendations

5P’s Principle5P’s PrincipleProper Planning Prevents

Poor Performance!

MethodologyQuantitative:

Telephone SurveyRandom and

RepresentativeKnowledge GapsObjectiveCATI Software Variable Testing

MethodologyData Collection

Test, Re-Test, Re-viewSurvey executionDemographicsResearcher ExperienceCross-sectional

Sample Size95% Confidence Level, 4.0% Sampling ErrorContact 1,250 phone numbers

How far-reaching are the impacts?

Greatest impact closest to production region

Influential power of this region

Regional Considerations

Qualitative: Personal InterviewsStakeholder Analysis - SWOT

Avoid duplicationExploratory ResearchOfficials & Influential

Persons Provincial Legislators, Local Government, University Professors, Law Enforcement Agencies, Other Stakeholder Groups

Methodology

Data CollectionEffectiveness depends on

QUALITY of questions asked!Utilize public opinion survey

data to formulate more questions

Full disclosureConvenience of intervieweeDigital recordingTranscribing service

SampleProvincial Legislators

Ed StelmachDave HancockRick Casson

Local LegislatorsBob TarlekAlderpersonsMunicipal Authorities

SampleUniversity Professors

Dr. Peter FachinniDr. Danny Le Roy

Law EnforcementRCMPD.A.R.E.

Other StakeholdersGlen MetzlerCarol Harrington

Leading questions, Attempts made to

persuade participants,

Misreporting of information,

Not disclosing your identity,

Manipulation during interviews

Ethical Issues

Ethical PracticesResearch-Board

ApprovalWill never be

deceivedConfidentiality is

assured Data used properlyInterviews and

survey questions are not stressful

Ethical PracticesPersonal

InterviewsThe intervieweesIn the public eye Consent form Participant Rights

Financial Inducements5 Calgary

Flames ticket packages 2 tickets, Accommodation, $100 certificate

Activity

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1 Holiday                                                                      

2 Read additional literature                                                                      

3 Stakeholder analisis                                                                      

4 Finalise objectives                                                                      

5 Draft literature review                                                                      

6 Confirm research methods                                                                      

7 Draft research methods                                                                      

8 Review telephone survey                                                                      

9 Run piolet test for survey                                                                      

10 Revise survey if needed                                                                      

11 Administer telephone survey                                                                      

12 Enter data into computer                                                                      

13 Analise the data                                                                      

14 Contact interview participants                                                                      

15 Review intervew questions                                                                      

16 Pilot test and revise questions                                                                      

17 Conduct intervies                                                                      

18 Enter data into computer                                                                      

19 Analise data                                                                      

20 Draft findings chapter                                                                      

21 Read new opium developments                                                                      

22 Complete remaining chapters                                                                      

23 Make last minute changes                                                                      

24 Print and bind report                                                                      

25 Submit feasibility report                                                                      

Total ranging from $65,000 to $100,000Preparation, Testing, AnalysisTelephone InterviewsPersonal Interviews

Possibilities for joint investment:Corporate farms, Investors, and Pharmaceuticals

Time Scale and Resources

Discussion