CITY'S CRACK ADDICTS ON INCREASE: AFM

The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba has seen a startling increase in
the number of crack-cocaine addicts it treats. In 1999, 35% of people
admitted to the AFM reported they were cocaine or crack-cocaine users.
Three years later, that jumped to 45%, according to figures released
yesterday by the Opposition Tories.

Conservative Leader Stuart Murray said the NDP government should
reverse a recent decision to cut funding to the not-for-profit
treatment centre given the high numbers.

Budget Cuts

"The irony here is the Doer government is supplying crack kits to
addicts while at the same time cutting the budget to the AFM for the
first time in history," Murray said.

John Borody, CEO of the addictions treatment centre, confirmed the
Tory figures and said crack cocaine has become more prevalent on
Winnipeg streets.

"The price has come down and its accessibility has been increasing,"
Borody said, noting his agency is not only treating more crack users
but more marijuana users as well.

Murray said the province shouldn't be cutting AFM funding when more
Manitobans are struggling with drug addictions.

In 1999, the AFM treated 8,103 people with various addictions. Three
years later, the agency admitted 8,526 people for treatment.

Provincial funding to the foundation this year dropped to $15.8
million from $16 million. As a result, 10 jobs have been cut and 14
beds closed in the primary care unit.

Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau repeated yesterday that patients
who would previously have been admitted to the AFM's primary care unit
for detox will be sent to the Health Sciences Centre.

City police have also been struggling with crack.

"Crack is the most popular drug in the city next to marijuana," said
Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Al Akre. "It's mostly dealt out
through dial-a-dealers."

But the highly addictive drug's effects don't last long. Drug cops say
smoking a half-gram rock of crack offers a five-minute high. A quarter
gram of powdered cocaine, which sells for $20, provides a high for 20
to 30 minutes.

Crack addicts are left craving their next high and they'll do whatever
it takes to get it.

"Drug habits fuel crime. There's no way around that," Akre
said.

[sidebar]

THE PRICE OF GETTING HIGH

The going rates for crack on Winnipeg streets:

- - Quarter-gram rock -- $20

- - Half-gram rock -- $40

- - Eight-ball (3.5 grams) -- $250

- - Winnipeg police drug unit