THERE ARE A LOT OF CHILDREN IN THIS AREA

I've read extensive coverage of opinions on both sides of the
crack-pipe debate. As a resident of Centretown, which has its own
problems with prostitution and drug abuse, I feel I can weigh in with
some experience in dealing with some of these people.

I hear a lot of people talking about it being a "health issue." Is
the health and welfare of the average citizen not an issue? Is it
really "healthy" for our children (and do not kid yourself, there are
a lot of children in this area) to be finding broken, used crack
pipes and needles? Is it healthy for them to see people, in the
middle of the day, on a street corner, sticking a pipe into their
mouths to get their next fix?

I do understand that addiction is a disease, however, I don't see how
providing an already broken segment of society with the tools they
need to perform an already illegal act is going to help in any way.

Kristina Daye

Ottawa

(It will likely take an examination of different options to figure
out how to best deal with this problem)