ballz said:
Haha, and that picture looks like it was taken before I, or you, or most of us in this thread, was born.
I certainly remember the Hippies. 30 years ago, to me, is like yesterday. My first professional contact with them was in 1972 in Yorkville, and Rochdale. (
Roachdale we called it. ) They were both hippie havens in downtown Toronto on the subway line, and on the fringes of the University of Toronto.
Rochdale was the largest co-op residence in North America.
We were used to handling drunks. But, we didn't understand the drug culture:
"Rochdale was originally a refuge for idealists. Ultimately, its cooperative idealism was its downfall. Dedicated to consensus decision making and granting a vote to everyone who lived (or claimed to live) in the building, Rochdale's governing body was unable to reach agreement to expel those who failed to pay their rents or otherwise live up to its ideals. Unable to pay its mortgage to the Canadian government, Rochdale drifted towards insolvency. As nearby Yorkville became gentrified during the late 1960s, much of Toronto's counterculture moved into Rochdale. This included homeless squatters and bikers who dealt hard drugs, along with a substantial number of undercover officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
By 1971 Rochdale had become known as "'North America's largest drug distribution warehouse.' Hash, pot, and LSD are in large supply. The Rochdale security force includes members of biker gangs".
CBC Archives also describe how "due to problems with cops and bikers, the governing council set up a paid security force to be on 24-hour alert. Ironically, some of these security people were bikers themselves. As had happened in Yorkville, an unofficial alliance with the Vagabonds outlaw motorcycle club developed." Rochdale's educational focus and student population declined as the drug business increased.
After increased clashes with police, and unable to pay its mortgage, political pressure forced financial foreclosure by the government, and Rochdale closed in 1975. A number of residents refused to leave. On May 30 the last residents were carried from the building by police. The doors to the college had to be welded shut to keep them out."
Regarding alcohol sales in Ontario. Back in the early 1970's purchases at LCBO stores were quite different than they are today. Unlike the current self serve approach, purchasers were not allowed to browse, and all liquor was held in the back of the store (like the current setup at Ontario’s beer stores). To make a purchase, the purchaser was required to fill in a purchase order form, and then hand it to the cashier. The cashier would hand it to the Counterman, who would retrieve the bottle, wrap it in plain brown paper, and hand it to the customer.
Interestingly, at the time, legal drinking age was 21. But, they reduced it to 18. I believe this was to encourage young people to choose alcohol, rather than drugs.
In the late 1970's, legal age increased from 18 to 19.
Hippies and the military tend to be considered yin and yang, but here myself at least one other is advocating legalization. The hippie thing is just outdated by about 30 years.
thanks
