NO PLANS FOR CRACK KITS IN INTERLAKE

IRHA continues to address drug use with existing programs

Selkirk Journal -- The Interlake Regional Health Authority has no plans to
introduce safer crack kits similar to those released to drug users in
Winnipeg.

Safer crack kits, which include a glass-tube pipe, alcohol swabs and
matches, are being distributed in Winnipeg by the Winnipeg Regional Health
Authority.

Seen as a harm reduction strategy to reduce the spread of disease, the move
has also been criticized for aiding and abetting drug use. In the Interlake,
the rate of infection for diseases associated with crack use is too low to
justify the introduction of a similar program, said Interlake medical
officer of health Dr. Tim Hilderman.

That's not to say a safer use program would never be considered, he added.

"For those programs to work, you need a certain population size and
concentration of users in an urban setting," Hilderman said.

"At this point, there isn't the prevalence (of diseases associated with drug
use) to justify a program of this nature."

The IRHA monitors the spread of disease through its public health offices
and would discuss additional harm reduction programs like safer crack kits
should the need arise, Hilderman said.

"It's not to say we wouldn't look at it in the future. I don't think anybody
would rule out those types of programs. There is a process used by public
health offices in the region in which we look at it on a regular basis, but
there's no hard number that makes it clear when you have to (introduce
programs like safer crack kits)."

The kits an example of a harm reduction strategy that helps to reduce
diseases like HIV and hepatitis C in certain settings, Hilderman said.

In Winnipeg, the kits are distributed by outreach workers who also discuss
treatment options with users.

The IRHA does not run a needle exchange program either, opting to handle
drug use and prevention through its reproductive health programs. The
programs include information about safe sex, STDs and condom use, Hilderman
said.

"We use those settings to get into drug use and abuse," he said.

Reproductive health programs are administered by public health nurses in
both clinical and school situations.

"When we do get a case of hepatitis C, the public health nurse will make
sure the appropriate risk factors are understood," Hilderman said.

"If they are injection drug users, the nurses will provide information and
connect them to available addiction services."

The CEO of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba said he supports
distributing the kits even though the move appears to run counter to the
foundation's mandate.

"Although the philosophy behind the crack kits may seem to fly in the face
of Addictions' philosophy, from a public health perspective we are
supportive of it," John Borody said.

The kits could also be useful in largely rural areas like the Interlake, he
said.

"Drug use is not really confined to urban centres," said Borody. "Any time
we can provide a kit or training it gets our foot in the door to help talk
to (users) about getting off the stuff."

AFM runs offices in Selkirk, Gimli and Beausejour as part of its Winnipeg
region. A national drug prevalence survey due out the week of Nov. 15 should
give a clearer indication of drug use in rural Canada, Borody said.