COMMITTEE SUPPORTS NEW CITY DRUG STRATEGY

A sweeping new city drug strategy that aims to make drug use safer
while targeting preventive and enforcement resources received the
backing of the city's powerful policy and finance committee.

Mayor David Miller said the strategy's 66 recommendations take a
multi-pronged approach to addiction - particularly crack cocaine and
alcohol - and treats it as a public health issue.

"The question is, are we going to treat addicts as human beings and
people, as sons and daughters and parents?" he asked. "If they've got
an addiction, they need help, they need a hand up and that's what it's
all about."

The decision came after an emotional plea for support from a
high-profile source, Sen. Larry Campbell, the outgoing mayor of
Vancouver, where a similar strategy has been in place since 2001.

"You're the biggest city in Canada and this sets a real example for
the rest of Canada," Campbell said.

Safe use sites

"This is where we're going as a society, this is what we have to do
and we have to be leading. You on council are in a tremendous position
to do that. Don't be afraid of this."

The report recommends looking at creating safe use sites - similar to
the safe injection site in Vancouver - and supplying drug
paraphernalia to crack cocaine users to prevent the spread of disease.