CRACK PROGRAM COULD BE ILLEGAL, BEVAN TELLS COUNCIL

The City of Ottawa's initiative to give crack pipes to drug users may be
illegal, says police Chief Vince Bevan, but he has yet to indicate what
action he might take.

In an April 13 letter to the city's health, recreation and social services
committee, the police chief said he is "concerned that this initiative may
be in contravention of provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada."

The city recently followed the advice of the medical health office and began
giving out crack pipes to drug users in a bid to prevent the spread of
Hepatitis C.

Chief Bevan, however, has said the program could actually contribute to
greater drug abuse.

He is expected to make his case today before the committee. His views will
likely be challenged by those who believe the city could miss out on a much
needed health program due to unwarranted legal concerns.

According to Chief Bevan, though, those who run the controversial program
could be subject to criminal charges under section 462.2 of the Criminal
Code.

In his letter to the committee he wrote the section states that "every one
who knowingly imports into Canada, exports from Canada, manufactures,
promotes or sells instruments or literature for illicit drug use is guilty
of an offense and liable on summary conviction."

While Chief Bevan's stance has been applauded by some city councillors,
today's meeting will likely be heated as legal issues are set against health
concerns.

Bay Councillor Alex Cullen says the crack-pipe program is too important to
abandon because of the health benefits. "Once you walk them through the
extent of the HIV and Hepatitis C epidemic in town, then most people see the
purpose of the exercise. There are clear health benefits to it."

On the other hand, Gloucester-Southgate Councillor Diane Deans said: "Once
you have the police suggesting that we may be, however inadvertently, adding
to drug use, then I think that council has to reconsider this program."

"When the police chief says that we may, in fact, be violating the Criminal
Code of Canada, then it causes me great concern," she added. "It would be
very embarrassing to have the police chief arrest the Medical Officer of
Health."

River Councillor Maria McRae said that although she's not a member of the
health committee, she is eager to hear both sides of the story.

"On the surface, I think that there may be merits in (the program), but on
the other hand, you've got the police saying that it might promote drug
use," she said. "I'm not sure that giving someone a crack pipe is going to
be a health benefit."

Police Chief Bevan declined to comment last night.

A spokeswoman for the city, said the chief planned to make his comments
public at 11 a.m. today, following the meeting of the health committee.