CRACK KITS CONDEMNED

Seen As Fueling Addiction

Former crack addicts charge a program to provide users with pipes and other
accessories will fuel the use of the highly addictive drug in Winnipeg.
"It's bulls--t, man" said Debbie, a 38-year-old former crack-cocaine addict
who asked only to be identified by her first name.

"They're crazy, they're stupid," she said of the Winnipeg Regional Health
Authority, which is handing out kits to addicts with sores and burns on
their lips in an effort to stop the spread of HIV and hepatitis C.

The Windsor Park resident, who has been clean five months after spending
eight days in detox earlier this year, said the health authority is
encouraging addicts to smoke crack by making the kits available.

Debbie said just seeing pictures of the crack kits in The Sun earlier this
week tempted her to start smoking the drug again, but she fought the urge.

"I hate it," said the 20-year former user, who recalled going on seven-day
binges with no sleep or food while still an addict. "It's the nastiest
drug. Crack is so bad in Winnipeg right now. It's so easy to get."

Ken, a former crack user who's been off the drug for four years, said it
makes no sense for the WRHA to be distributing the kits.

"There's no such thing as safe crack use," said the 41-year-old Winnipeg
resident, who asked his last name not be printed. "It's one of the most
addictive substances known to man."

The province should be spending money trying to get addicts off drugs
rather than handing out crack kits -- which doesn't appear to be happening,
he said.

Provincial funding to the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba dropped to
$15.8 million this year from $16 million the previous year. As a result,
the AFM is being forced to shut down a 14-bed detox unit for drug addicts
and get rid of 10 staff positions.

Health Minister Dave Chomiak would not comment on the crack-kit program.

PROTECT HEALTH

Dr. Margaret Fast, a medical officer of health with the WRHA, said she
doesn't believe the kits will encourage addicts to use the drug more often.

Fast said staff are careful to give kits only to people who appear to be
users so as to not encourage new people to try crack.

John Borody, CEO of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, said having the
kits is important to protect the health of people not yet ready to give up
their addiction.

Fast said the health authority is giving about 10 of the kits away daily.
The kits -- which are assembled by WRHA staff -- cost taxpayers about $2
each, she said.

"To this point it's a very modest investment compared to the overall
budget," Fast said.