CRACK IS DRUG OF CHOICE

Victoria Dubbed 'Cracktown' By Drug Users

While media reports and images thrust crystal meth into the spotlight
in recent years, the drug of choice in Victoria remains
crack-cocaine.

So much so that Victoria has been nicknamed Cracktown by drug users
and people connected with the local drug scene.

"There's a lot of crack use in this city," said Sandra Brown, a drug
and alcohol counsellor with the Cool-Aid Society.

"From what I hear from people, it's more popular in the Victoria
street community than in Vancouver."

In her experience as a clinical counsellor, Brown says crack has
always been the drug of choice here.

"Some of the younger folks might have got more into the crystal meth
scene," she said, but added crack dominates the scene.

"A lot of crack users say crystal meth is junk and won't touch
it."

Const. Brian Rowan, a street crime investigator with Saanich police
specializing in hard drugs, said that's true only half the time.

"Some people addicted to crack have switched (to crystal meth) because
of the price factor," he said.

"A lot of crack users will say that (meth is junk), but the other half
that have already switched won't say that."

While Brown works primarily with Victoria's street community, meaning
people without jobs or homes, or in unsafe housing, and often with
addiction problems, Dave O'Brien is a counsellor working with
University of Victoria students.

He said substances conventionally known as hard drugs are uncommon at
the university.

Though marijuana use is a major player among students, cocaine comes
up occasionally and is far more prevalent than crystal meth.

"Cocaine comes through more exceptionally," O'Brien said. "There's not
a large incidence (of users) coming through our door."