Canada: Councilors Endorse Plan to Fight Drugs

On Thursday, Ottawa's community service committee endorsed the next phase of a plan to combat drugs and addiction, including a possible review of the crack-pipe program. The Community Network -- a coalition of community groups and government agencies that includes the police, public health officials, and addiction specialists -- developed the plan.

The focus of public debate remains Ottawa's two-year-old, $8,000 Canadian per year ($7,486 US) program providing clean crack pipes and rubber mouthpieces to users. Opponents argue it is counter-productive to give out drug paraphernalia when one program goal is to prevent drug use, and they question whether it helps stem the spread of disease.

The Community Network's approach calls for creating a 48-bed residential treatment facility for youth, peer intervention programs and increased support services, employment opportunities, drug treatment resources, and housing-location assistance for drug users. It also calls for improved prevention education programs, especially for youth, a more coordinated approach with police officers, and a strategy to better communicate the plan's goals.

Dr. David Salisbury, Ottawa's chief medical officer, said a recent report by University of Ottawa researcher Dr. Lynne Leonard found that the program is meeting its goal of harm reduction. "The program is about prevention of HIV and hepatitis C," Salisbury said, "it's not about reducing drug use."

The committee approved, in principle, an independent review of the program.

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