CRACK PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO DOWNTOWN OTTAWA

Councillor Says Problem In Suburbs Is Much Worse Than People Realize

The crack problem in Ottawa is not limited to the downtown. According to
Bell-South Nepean Councillor Jan Harder, the problem is much worse in the
suburban areas outside the city than people may realize.

"Just because you don't see it as clearly in Barrhaven does not mean that
the problem does not exist," said Ms. Harder. "It's not just kids that have
crack problems, there are adults in this ward too.

"These people are simply buying their way through life, making sure they
get enough money to feed their habit. There is a strong black market here."

Ms. Harder was disappointed that the city's health, recreation and social
services committee voted 6-3 in favour of the city's free crack pipe kit
program. Rideau Councillor Glenn Brooks, Gloucester-Southgate Councillor
Diane Deans and Baseline Councillor Rick Chiarelli were the three committee
members who opposed the program.

Although Ms. Harder criticized the left-wing tendencies of the committee,
she did say that she was trying to look at the program's bigger picture.

The scenario has pitted Ottawa Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Cushman in
a public debate with Ottawa Police Chief Vince Bevan in what Ms. Harder
calls, "Cushman versus the Commish."

"Both men are trying to do their jobs and take care of people," she said.
"The province shorted Dr. Cushman with regards to funding, and he knows
this program is the tail wagging the dog. If we had the money to do this
properly, they would be working together.

"The bottom line is that there are thousands of people waiting for
methadone clinics, and we have done nothing for them," she said.

Ms. Harder said that the focus of the problem is on downtown, because
downtown is where the money is.

Drug addicts are more visible on the downtown streets than they are in the
suburbs like Barrhaven. She added that people need to be aware of the
severity of the drug problems in the city's outlying areas.

"People need to get their heads out of the clouds," she said. "Parents need
to get over their ostrich syndrome, where they bury their heads and think
that if they don't see it, it doesn't exist. Jan Harder will never have
ostrich syndrome.

"Rather than helping crack addicts, we are aiding and abetting criminals by
giving them free crack pipe kits."

Bevan Disappointed

Ottawa Police Chief Vince Bevan said Friday that he is disappointed the
committee voted to continue the city's free crack pipe kit program.

"My position on the issue remains unchanged. I am opposed to the
distribution of crackpipes," said Mr. Bevan.

"I am concerned that there is evidence that children under the age of 16
have used the needle exchange program and the crack pipe distribution
program to access the paraphernalia that enables their drug use. Clearly
these programs need to be more closely monitored to ensure that the rules
are followed scrupulously."

Mr. Bevan agreed with Ms. Harder that the efforts to prevent drug use need
to be on the front end instead of a back end plan like the crack pipe kit
distribution program.

"We need to focus our efforts on prevention and treatments,' he said. "Our
messaging must be in support of families, in support of healthy lifestyles,
in support of our neighbourhoods, and in support of addicts and users who
require treatment."