CITY GIVING CRACK PIPES TO PROTECT ADDICTS

Crack users will be given pipes and the city will study whether to set
up sites where addicts can use drugs under a wide-ranging drug
strategy approved by city council yesterday.

The drug policy -- which also aims to reduce the concentration of bars
in certain areas of the city -- passed by a 24-15 vote.

It urges the province to set up more treatment centres, especially for
young people with drug and mental health problems, and says addicts
should be eligible for provincial disability benefits. And it says
possession of small amounts of marijuana shouldn't be a criminal offence.

The strategy sets no deadline for the study of safe injection sites
and a committee will examine just where crack pipes will be handed
out.

Meanwhile, council rejected a request to supply fireworks on New
Year's Eve at city hall. Citytv sponsors a concert in Nathan Phillips
Square, but doesn't have the money for fireworks, council was told. A
motion for the city to put up $50,000 for fireworks failed.