One of Canada's most prominent child psychiatrists is to appear in court in Calgary today on a crack-cocaine trafficking charge that has shocked the city.
Philip Alan Barker, 70, the former head of psychiatry at the Alberta Children's Hospital and a distinguished member of the country's psychiatric community, is still the subject of police investigation.
Dr. Barker, who has written two of the authoritative texts in his field, Basic Child Psychiatry and Basic Family Therapy, was stripped of his hospital privileges indefinitely after the charges came to light early this month.
Acting Detective Cam Brooks of Calgary's vice squad said the investigation began in September last year when some young women involved in the sex trade approached police. The police launched an investigation into incidents involving the procurement of prostitutes and the trafficking of narcotics.
Dr. Barker has not been charged with any offences related to prostitution. He was arrested Feb. 2 at a Calgary hotel and later released.
The charge against a top member of Calgary's medical elite has caused consternation among the city's doctors and among parents whose children he has treated.
Dr. Barker was a professor at the University of Calgary until his recent retirement and a staff psychiatrist at the children's hospital until his hospital privileges were suspended Feb. 4. He has also worked for some of the city's social agencies, including some involved in the care of young prostitutes.
Staff Sergeant Debbie Middleton-Hope of the city's vice unit said crack cocaine is rarely thought of in connection with wealth and power. "People think it's [just]the down and out," she said.
Dr. Barker, who was raised in England, is also famous in Canadian music circles as the owner of his own record label, Jazz Focus. He has been the host of the radio show Jazz Focus for years on the Alberta station CJSW.