RALLY TAKES CRACK AT SECURING FUNDING

Some drug users piped up at city hall yesterday demanding council
continue to fund its harm reduction program.

About 30 members from the AIDS Community of Ottawa rallied outside
city hall moments before the group spoke to councillors asking them
to think before they cut the $8,000 a year the city gives to the group.

The group said if the city ends its support for supplying crack pipes
to drug users, the province will end its contribution.

"It's a crime these programs are in jeopardy," said Kathleen
Cummings, executive director of ACO.

She said the city has to work harder with the organization to get the
message out that handing out crack pipes is not encouraging drug use
but preventing the spread of HIV and Hepatitis C, easily spread
through the use of used and broken pipes.

"This is a health issue, not a crime issue," she said.

Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes took a few moments away from public
deliberations to join the protest.

"We need to spend more than $8,000 if we want to get the HIV numbers
down," Holmes said. "It's worth spending more money on prevention."