DRUG PROGRAMS 'CRUCIAL' TO CITY'S HEALTH

Medical Officer Lauds Needle Exchange, Crack Pipe Plan

The city's chief medical officer accused the police force, its chief
and others yesterday of "actively" trying to thwart harm-reduction
drug programs, such as the needle exchange and crack pipe program.

Dr. David Salisbury said he's speaking out because the programs are
"crucial" to the city's health, but police and others are undermining
public confidence in the programs by spreading inaccurate information.

"I've finally decided I can no longer stay silent about what people
are saying about these programs," Dr. Salisbury said.

"These programs are effective. We have major problems with HIV and
hepatitis C in this city, and these programs are crucial to
preventing the spread of disease."

He said public comments from police Chief Vince Bevan have been based
on incorrect information that such programs increase drug use and
have little impact on the spread of disease.

Not only do dozens of studies in other cities say this is wrong, Dr.
Salisbury said, but the programs are starting to have positive
effects on controlling the spread of disease in Ottawa.

What makes him angry is that public support for the programs is
waning because critics have created the perception that the programs
don't work.

"Public comments from the chief of police have led to serious
problems for us," he said. "We don't have a good working relationship
with the police force."

Dr. Salisbury said he has repeatedly asked the police to put a
representative on a city council-mandated board overseeing the
programs, but, for the past 18 months, the police have refused.

At the province's orders, municipalities must run needle exchange
programs that allow addicts to trade in dirty needles for clean ones.
However, the crack pipe program is a city initiative, and can be killed.

Chief Bevan couldn't be reached for comment, but the force's
spokeswoman, Const. Isabelle Lemieux, said his previous comments stand.

Chief Bevan has said: "there is no hard evidence, no empirical
studies that support the distribution of crack pipes;" the program
encourages drug use; it sends the message that "it's OK to try
crack;" and the program might even be illegal.

He said he would consider charging the city under a section of the
Criminal Code banning the distribution of drug paraphernalia, but
then said he wouldn't if the pipes aren't given to people under 18
years of age.

Const. Lemieux said Dr. Salisbury's concerns will be taken into
consideration, and that police officials are committed to drug
"prevention, treatment, harm reduction" and law enforcement.

City Councillor Rick Chiarelli, who is against the program, said the
doctor's remarks are unwarranted.

"It's the job of the police to uphold the law," he said. "I think it
was unfair of (the doctor) to go after the police on this because
they are only doing the right thing, upholding the law."

One of Mayor Larry O'Brien's campaign promises was to cancel the
crack pipe program, and he will have a chance to do so during the
budget debate next month. His spokesman, Mike Patton, said the issue
is not a priority for the mayor, but that he will vote to cut funding
if it comes up.

Dr. Salisbury said cancelling the program would put public health at
risk, but Mr. Patton said the "good doctor needs to realize he
reports to council.

"He can make any sort of recommendation he sees fit, but at the end
of the day, it's council's decision which programs they are going to support."

Dr. Salisbury said council spent $82,000 on these programs last year
and is being asked to spend $59,000 in 2007.

He said those amounts are negligible, compared to the cost of
treating people with HIV and hepatitis C, so cancelling either
program wouldn't make economic sense.

Last year, a University of Ottawa study credited the crack-user
program with radically reducing the sharing of drug paraphernalia,
but also increasing the amount of crack smoking. The study was funded
by federal, provincial and city governments.

University of Ottawa epidemiologist Lynne Leonard said despite the
increase in crack use, there was "significant scientific evidence"
that shows the program reduces the harm associated with crack smoking.

She said study officials saw "a huge, significant decrease in the use
of injected drugs, which is far more risky than smoking."

Earlier this week, it was reported that an opinion poll showed
two-thirds of Canadians believe the federal government should treat
drug abuse as a medical problem, requiring more prevention and
treatment programs.