CRACK-PIPE PROGRAM VITAL, ADVOCATES TELL MAYOR

Advocates for a harm-reduction approach to drug use are clashing with
the mayor of Ottawa over his views on the city's crack-pipe program.

A group of about 60 Ottawa residents held a public discussion last
night in response to what they say is Mayor Larry O'Brien's negative
attitude to the city's distribution of clean crack pipes to drug users.

The event was a response to the "backlash" against the program that
the mayor has shown in the past few months, Carleton University law
professor Dawn Moore said before speaking at the Bronson Centre meeting.

Mr. O'Brien has said he would like to make cuts to the program,
although funding remained in place when this year's budget was drafted.

"The mayor believes that there is no good way to use crack," said
Mike Patton, spokesman for Mr. O'Brien.

Ms. Moore said harm-reduction programs for drug users helps reduce
the spread of HIV and hepatitis C. Since the government of Ontario
implemented its needle-exchange program, for example, the rate of HIV
infection has dropped 25 to 30 per cent, she said.

A study is being done on the effects of the crack-pipe kit
distribution program, but the evidence available so far is that
"there has been a notable drop" in infection rates as a result, Ms. Moore said.

Homemade crack pipes, she said, are made from aluminum cans. These
crude pipes can have sharp edges and become very hot, which can burn
or cut the user's mouth, spreading HIV or hepatitis C via
contaminated blood or saliva, she said.

Mr. Patton said he isn't convinced: "They say they have stats to
prove it, but I've never seen anything compelling."

The mayor also thinks the city needs to focus on rehabilitation
programs, as opposed to harm reduction, Mr. Patton said.

"If you decided today that you wanted to get treated for a crack
addiction, it would be very difficult for you to do so," Mr. Patton
said. "A crack addict who goes to a centre shouldn't be told to come
back in six weeks for treatment. Until we have (better rehabilitation
options) funding, other drug programs doesn't make sense."

Event organizer Yavar Hameed, a civil rights lawyer, said Mr.
O'Brien's policies on drug reduction and the crack-kit program are
not justified.

"Harm-reduction programs reduce the harm to those most vulnerable in
our society," Mr. Hameed said. "The visceral reaction to them is unjustified."

Mr. Hameed said the people at the meeting -- most of whom work in
health care and other areas concerned with the effects of drug use --
signed a petition in support of harm-reduction policies. He said he
planned to send the petition and a written defence of the city's
policy to Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. O'Brien was invited to attend the event, but the mayor was unable
to go due to another engagement, Mr. Hameed said. The title of the
event likely did not help: "Larry O'Brien On Crack: A Public
Discussion of the Ottawa Mayor's Approach to Harm Reduction and the
Implications for Women Sex Workers."

Mr. Patton said he was displeased with the title, adding it made it
difficult for him to take the event seriously. "That's an awfully
flippant way to approach a very serious issue," he said.