NEW CITY STRATEGY TO COMBAT DRUG ABUSE PASSED IN COMMITTEE

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 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.

"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 strategy's recommendations include offering council's support to
decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana as well as
supporting drug abuse prevention programs in schools and looking at
ways to get rid of marijuana grow houses.

Perhaps the most controversial recommendations are those around
reaching out to crack cocaine users who currently are not in contact
with health workers. 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.

The committee, however, acquiesced to concerns by supporting a
recommendation that would require a thorough review of any site
including approval by the city, federal and provincial governments as
well as police.

"They don't belong in neighbourhoods," said Ward 28 Councillor Pam
McConnell (Toronto Centre-Rosedale).

Campbell advised councillors not to "get hung up" on the consumption
sites issue.

"Consumptions sites are nothing, quite frankly," Campbell said. "I
would defy you to find (the one in Vancouver). "