PLAN TAKES AIM AT ADDICTIONS

City Creating Strategy To Tackle Drug Problems

A new strategy coming to Ottawa in June aims to address the growing
problems of drugs and addiction in the city.

Mayor Bob Chiarelli said the Integrated Drugs and Addictions Strategy
would tackle Ottawa's epidemic rates of hepatitis C and HIV among
intravenous drug users.

"This shows there is in fact a need for community action. We are going to do
anything we can to make it happen," Chiarelli said yesterday at city hall,
where 40 community figureheads, police and city councillors were briefed on
the strategy.

The strategy will focus on improving four key areas: prevention,
treatment, harm reduction and enforcement. The city has programs that
span those priorities now, but the strategy will develop an overall
framework for addressing drug and addiction-related problems.

One hope is for a drug addiction treatment facility for Ottawa's
youth. Right now, up to 300 people are forced to seek treatment
outside of the area, according to Steve Kanellakos, deputy city
manager of community and protective services.

"That caused all these people to come together to deal with these
issues in Ottawa," said Kanellakos.

Obtaining a residential treatment facility tops the list of goals
needing to be addressed, Chiarelli said.

The city will seek public input, which it hopes to gather through
consultations starting in April.

A report on the information gathered from experts, the public and
through research will go to the Health, Recreation and Social Services
committee this summer.