[medpot]

The Vacounver Province

Local politician pushing for free crackpipes


Canwest News Service May 24, 2009


A Victoria councillor wants the city to distribute free crackpipes.

Philippe Lucas, who contracted hepatitis C 27 years ago through a tainted blood transfusion, argued last week the kits could reduce the spread of the infectious disease.

"I hate the idea of anyone at all having to deal with the hepatitis C that I've dealt with when the spread is entirely preventable in terms of drug use," he told fellow councillors.

Lucas said about 70 per cent of the city's intravenous drug users have hep C, which is easily spread.

It's common for people who smoke crack cocaine to have sores, cuts and burns on their lips. Pipes are often makeshift -- fashioned from cans or glass tubes with sharp edges -- and shared among users.

That means infections such as HIV and hepatitis C can be shared as well, transmitted from blood on pipes through open cuts and sores.

If council supports distribution, the Vancouver Island Health Authority will provide funding for the kits, said spokeswoman Suzanne Germain.

Lucas's motion will be debated by council next month.

© Copyright © The Province

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The Times Colonist


Letter


Time to consider supplying drugs


Times Colonist May 26, 2009 1:10 AM



Letter-writers are split on whether clean crack pipes should
be distributed to drug addicts.

Photograph by: Ian Smith, Canwest News Service, Times Colonist

I'm not sure what to think of the idea of providing free crack pipes. On one hand, I understand. Try to stop disease transmission.

But on the other hand, I don't want Victoria seen as promoting open drug use or doing anything to further the culture of the addicted who think Victoria is a haven for crack and meth.

These are not harmless drugs. We're not talking marijuana here. Drugs like crack cocaine and meth cause noticeable degenerative effects in our downtown core.

I would much rather a comprehensive approach be applied to the situation, such as supervised safe consumption sites that protect addicts from disease and overdose. These facilities, if set up properly, should also put addicts in touch with social services that will help them to rebuild their lives and leave the cycle of addiction.

We need comprehensive action that may even involve supplying the drugs they are addicted to in order to eliminate the demand for drugs on the street, thus reducing demand on the black market.

Maybe once they are housed and learning to live life without worry of where their next fix is coming from, some will be able to reason with reality and move towards a healthier way of living.

Expensive? Maybe. But the current war on drugs is costing us dearly. Trying something different will not hurt. Hopefully it will be a compassionate move towards true addiction research and assistance.


Barry Carvish

Victoria



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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The Times Colonist


Letter


Addiction not health issue


Times Colonist May 26, 2009 1:10 AM


I am appalled that some Victoria councillors have proposed that crack pipes be given out. I am also appalled that the Vancouver Island Health Authority is amenable to funding the project, when so many people who are sick through no fault of their own cannot get funding for their medical needs.

If Victoria has a problem with drug addicts, it should deal with it through the appropriate legal and rehabilitation channels and not allow it to become a "health" issue, nor expect the rest of us, living outside of Victoria, to have our MSP fees go toward solving Victoria's problems.

It's far too easy to lay the burden on others because the Victoria council is unwilling to do what is necessary and right.


John Hickson

Cobble Hill



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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The Times Colonist


Letter


Only one pillar getting attention


Times Colonist May 26, 2009 1:10 AM


A Victoria city councillor cautions that support for distribution of clean crack pipes is conditional on a four-pillars approach to drug use.

I could agree to that logic, as long as the city and police apply the same assessment to funding of the other pillars, particularly enforcement.

Last week, we again heard of increased arrests of people affected by drugs, while the city and Vancouver Island Health Authority have yet to follow through on funding of their own plans (developed four years ago) which included distribution of crack pipes, 24/7 access to needle exchange services and the business plan for supervised consumption services.

Ever since the city, police and VIHA announced their four pillars approach we have seen the enforcement pillar grow to great heights while removing the foundation of harm reduction -- a fixed site needle exchange.

This weekend marks a full year since the closure of the needle exchange; I think it is time to balance the pillars.


Bruce Wallace

Victoria



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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The Times Colonist


Letter


Welcome frank talk on drugs


Times Colonist May 26, 2009


People are talking these days about things no one usually talks about, and they are doing it very publicly.

Jody Paterson wrote a brilliant plea for sanity in our attitude toward sex trade workers and their murderers (May 22). Philippe Lucas told fellow Victoria city councillors they should support the distribution of crack pipes (May 23). And for some time, many voices have demanded the Vancouver Island Health Authority reinstate the fixed site needle exchanges they shut down one year ago.

We can discuss drug use and the global research overwhelmingly supporting harm reduction measures such as fixed site syringe exchanges and crack pipe distribution.

We will find enforcement has never been a solution and advising abstinence in matters of drugs and sex is a ludicrous waste of time. Prevention and harm reduction are the productive avenues of discourse. Refuse those discussions for the most marginalized people in our communities and there will be other conversations commanding our attention.

When police cannot enforce the problem away, when health services hemorrhage money to patch up ruined bodies, when corporate agendas subtract more workers' rights to maximize profits and create more homeless and addicted, then we will have to talk. Let's do it now, even if the kids are listening.


Derek Peach

Central Saanich



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

[medpot]

The Victoria Times Colonist

Letter


Crack pipes improve safety and health


Times Colonist May 28, 2009 1:11 AM


Smoking crack is a neglected public-health problem in Canada. Like needles, crack pipes can transmit hepatitis C and other viruses and it is important that drug users have access to sterile equipment.

People who smoke crack or use drugs by injection are extremely vulnerable to the transmission of hepatitis C and B and, if injecting, HIV. This is why it is so important to give people access to clean needles and/or safer crack use kits, which are often hard to come by.

In Dr. Benedikt Fisher's new report on crack use in Nanaimo, Campbell River and Prince George, released just this month and funded by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control and VIHA, the findings are clear that public-health interventions around crack use are necessary.

The study identified that crack smoking is a prevalent street-drug use activity that is "associated with extensive social, health and drug-use risk which currently are not sufficiently effectively addressed by the existing interventions at the street/community levels."

Removing the tools for drug use will not stop drug use, but will increase the transmission of preventable diseases. We need community leaders who will support public health strategies, such as the distribution of safer crack use materials, in order to make the entire community a safer and healthier place.

Tamara Herman

Victoria


© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

[medpot]

The Victoria Times Colonist

Letter

More treatment, not crack pipes


Times Colonist May 28, 2009 1:11 AM


It is obvious to me that VIHA and the provincial government have their priorities wrong when it comes to managing the addiction problem. They are expecting the taxpayer to be on the hook for providing crack pipes, which only encourages drug use, while ignoring the need to increase the facilities for those addicts who wish to become clean.

I have a relative who was in a publicly funded treatment facility 21/2 years ago and placed on methadone as a way to abstain from hard drugs. At the time, he was told that if he ever wanted to get off methadone it would be best that he detoxified in a facility.

Well, that time has come, but his doctor cannot find a public facility that has space or will accept a person who is detoxifying from methadone. Detoxifying from methadone is more difficult both physically and mentally than alcohol or any of the street drugs. So he is left to fight the battle on his own, with the occasional visit to a street physician. Not being in a controlled environment only lowers his chances of success. Maybe there is a private facility; but not everyone can afford thousands of dollars a month.

Our governments commit us to megaprojects that leave us with huge debts for current and future generations, but continue to ignore the social issues that are eroding our society and quality of life.

Brian Belcher

Victoria


© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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The Times Colonist


Letter


Crack pipes cut health costs


Times Colonist May 29, 2009 2:06 AM


A reader was "appalled" that some Victoria councillors have proposed the distribution of crack pipes.

My immediate reaction is to respond in terms of my perspective: Addiction is a social justice issue.

I will, however, respond based on the writer's concern -- economics.

Consider the cost of distributing disposable crack pipes to people who are using substances. Now consider the cost of treating a person (note: a person, not a "drug addict") living with hepatitis C, which was transmitted through a shared crack pipe. You do the math.


Lorna Mace

Victoria



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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The Times Colonist


Victoria delays crackpipe decision


By Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist June 5, 2009 2:06 AM


Victoria council wants more information on harm-reduction initiatives before taking a stand on the distribution of free crackpipes in the city.

Coun. Philippe Lucas had asked council to endorse the distribution of crackpipe kits to reduce the spread of hepatitis C, from which he suffers. If Victoria council supported the distribution, the Vancouver Island Health Authority would provide funding for the kits.

But several of Lucas's council colleagues expressed concern yesterday about taking any one initiative in isolation -- potentially derailing other efforts, such as finding a fixed needle-exchange site.

Instead, councillors resolved to meet with VIHA representatives within the month for a comprehensive analysis of harm-reduction issues.

"What we need is some urgency to look at the whole picture," said Coun. Lynn Hunter. "If we hive one part off, saying this is the most urgent, then we're going to be more inclined to delay discussion on the larger issue."

It's common for people who smoke crack cocaine to have sores, cuts and burns on their lips. Crackpipes are often makeshift -- fashioned from cans or glass tubes with sharp edges -- and shared among users. That means there's potential for infections such as HIV and hepatitis C to be shared as well, transmitted from blood on pipes through open cuts and sores.

Advocates of crackpipe distribution argue the risk of the disease spreading can be minimized if pipes aren't shared.

Coun. Sonya Chandler argued against waiting to make the decision, adding council can support the pipe distribution now and still address wider issues. "There's people out there smoking crack out of light bulbs, and they're injuring themselves and they're contracting hep C."

Lucas, who contracted hepatitis C through tainted blood he received during a medical procedure in Ontario in 1982, hopes council will support crackpipe distribution after the meeting with VIHA officials.

But Mayor Dean Fortin doubted anything would happen that quickly. "My expectation for the meeting isn't to come out with a decision like that right away. My understanding is for council to get a better understanding of what systems and models are out there, what exists and what VIHA is looking forward to doing," Fortin said

Victoria's Cormorant Street needle exchange was forced to close a year ago in the wake of neighbours' complaints that users loitered outside the building, leaving behind dirty syringes, blood and human waste.

For 12 months, intravenous drug users in Victoria have had to rely on the mobile needle exchange or picking up clean needles when they visit a clinic.

Pressure for a more comprehensive needle-exchange system has ramped up as a group calling itself Harm Reduction Victoria opened an informal needle exchange near Our Place on Pandora Avenue.

While the city endorses the concept of harm reduction, those efforts should work for all members of the community, including users, children, downtown residents and workers, Fortin said.


bcleverley@tc.canwest.com



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

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The Times Colonist


Addicts to get free crack pipes in city trial


By Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist July 10, 2009 1:06 AM



Crack-pipe mouthpiece.

Photograph by: Gerry Kahrmann, Canwest News Service, Times Colonist


Victoria councillors have agreed to allow the Vancouver Island Health Authority to oversee distribution of free crack-pipe kits in the city -- but only on a temporary basis.

Mayor Dean Fortin said the pilot program would have to include an assessment of community support for the program. "We'll send the letter [to VIHA] recognizing that harm reduction is important and that if it's part of their current harm-reduction efforts [that] they start to hand out mouthpieces and sticks, they can integrate that in now."

Earlier this week, VIHA medical health officer Dr. Murray Fyfe asked councillors to support distribution of the crack kits.

The kits would include a mouthpiece for crack pipes and a push stick -- similar to a chopstick -- used to recover hardened crack from the pipe after it has been smoked.

It's common for people who smoke crack cocaine to have sores, cuts and burns on their lips. Crack pipes are often fashioned from cans or glass tubes with sharp edges and shared among users. There's potential for infections such as HIV and hepatitis C to be shared as well, transmitted from blood on pipes through open cuts and sores.

"The whole concept of harm reduction is not to promote the use of drugs but is to recognize that people are going to continue to use," said Fyfe. "We want to make them as safe as possible."

Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe said she's surprised VIHA hasn't "done this already," adding she supports harm-reduction initiatives.

Coun. John Luton said he'd like to see the health authority get on with finding a fixed location for a needle exchange in the city, which has been without such a site for more than a year. The Cormorant Street exchange closed down amid a litany of concerns from neighbours.

Fyfe asked council to reaffirm its commitment to harm-reduction policies by supporting initiatives such as the fixed-location needle exchange, needle collection and mobile needle-exchange efforts.

Councillors referred that request to its community development committee for consideration.

Only Coun. Geoff Young expressed concerns. "The far view of our citizens is that the city is going downhill fast and a lot of that downhill journey is because of the prevalence of drug users in the downtown," Young said earlier this week.

He said a needle exchange could be creating a place where potential drug users know they can find a dealer.


bcleverley@tc.canwest.com



© Copyright © The Victoria Times Colonist

[Truth]

Victoria News


Victoria gives thumbs-up to crack-pipe kits



By Roszan Holmen - Victoria News


Published: July 10, 2009 3:00 PM
Updated: July 10, 2009 4:12 PM

Esquimalt may want nothing to do with them, but Victoria's impatient to get the crack kits flowing.

On Thursday, city council voted to support the Vancouver Island Health Authority's push to distribute free crack paraphernalia.

"I'm actually just surprised that they haven't done it already," said Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe.

In a draft letter to VIHA, council requested a pilot project to distribute crack kits, including a mouthpiece and push stick.

"It is clear that harm reduction initiatives go a long way to reducing the transmission of communicable disease," said council's letter of support.

Coun. Geoff Young, however, disagreed.

"I don't believe the wider ramifications have been looked at by some of the studies," he said.

VIHA medical health officer Dr. Murray Fyfe confirms the benefits of crack kits have not been widely studied. Research has shown, however, that crack pipes can carry hepatitis C-positive blood, he said.

The plan is to distribute the crack kits through the same agencies distributing needles for drug injection.

Instead of handing out complete kits, as they do in Prince George and Toronto, Victoria's kits will only include a mouth piece and push stick.

The mouth piece – actually rubber tubing from the hardware store – fits over the end of the pipe.

Because crack pipes are often made from broken bottles, pop cans or even twisted car antennas, they can cut or burn mouths, said Fyfe. When users share pipes, they can spread hepatitis C or other communicable diseases.

The push sticks – actually chops sticks – are used to manipulate the rock cocaine. They are useful in preventing prevent toxic fumes or finger burns.

Kits would cost taxpayers only pennies apiece and, unlike needles, could be reused by the drug addicts several times, Fyfe added.

In Esquimalt, the kits have proved more contentious at council.

In late May, Mayor Barb Desjardin said she'd prefer to ban the sale of crack tools from convenience stores rather than distribute them for free.

Esquimalt's health unit, which would distribute the kits, is too close to a recreation centre, she said.


rholmen@saanichnews.com

[medpot]

Saanich News


Saanich News

Victoria set to hand out free crack-pipe accessories,
but Saanich has never been asked to participate


By Roszan Holmen - Saanich News


Published: July 17, 2009 6:00 AM


Esquimalt may want nothing to do with them, Saanich has never been asked, but Victoria’s impatient to get the crack kits flowing.

Last week, Victoria council voted to support the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s push to distribute free crack paraphernalia.

In a draft letter to VIHA, council requested a pilot project to distribute crack kits, including a mouthpiece and push stick.

“It is clear that harm reduction initiatives go a long way to reducing the transmission of communicable disease,” said council’s letter of support.

Victoria Coun. Geoff Young, however, disagreed.

“I don’t believe the wider ramifications have been looked at by some of the studies,” he said.

VIHA medical health officer Dr. Murray Fyfe confirms the benefits of crack kits have not been widely studied. Research has shown, however, that crack pipes can carry hepatitis C-positive blood, he said.

The plan is to distribute the crack kits through the same agencies distributing needles for drug injection.

Instead of handing out complete kits, as they do in Prince George and Toronto, Victoria’s kits will only include a mouth piece and push stick.

The mouth piece – actually rubber tubing from the hardware store – fits over the end of the pipe.

Because crack pipes are often made from broken bottles, pop cans or even twisted car antennas, they can cut or burn mouths, said Fyfe. When users share pipes, they can spread hepatitis C or other communicable diseases.

The push sticks – actually chops sticks – are used to manipulate the rock cocaine. They are useful in preventing prevent toxic fumes or finger burns.

Kits would cost taxpayers only pennies apiece and, unlike needles, could be reused by the drug addicts several times, Fyfe added.

Saanich mayor Frank Leonard said the issue of distributing crack pipe parts has never come up in his municipality. “We’ve never had a request from VIHA for that or anything similar to it,” he said.

In Esquimalt, the kits have proved contentious at council.

In late May, Mayor Barb Desjardin said she’d prefer to ban the sale of crack tools from convenience stores rather than distribute them for free.

Esquimalt’s health unit, which would distribute the kits, is too close to a recreation centre, she said.


rholmen@saanichnews.com

[medpot]

Victoria News

Letter to Editor

Published: July 22, 2009 6:00 AM


Victoria must stop enabling drug addicts


Re: City backs plan to distribute crack-pipe gear (News, July 15)

Kudos to Victoria city councillor Geoff Young for being willing to stand up against the distribution of crack-pipe gear to addicts.

On the other side, the crack dealers are no doubt celebrating this move by the city.

In June 2008, a city report indicated the average drug addict was committing annual crimes of about $350,000 in value in order to feed his drug habit. Multiply that by the number of addicts, and the figure is truly staggering in terms of costs to society.

Why is the city then enabling their drug habits, and so perpetuating the crime spree? Why give ammunition to defence lawyers who will try to get their drug-dealer clients off by showing that the city supports their activity?

Stop enabling the drug addicts.

So what if drug addicts have some finger and lip burns or cuts – it is a result of their choice of lifestyle.

As for “hepatitis C and other communicable diseases” maybe that is just natural selection taking place in this group of addicts.

Roel Hurkens

Victoria

[medpot]

Victoria News

Letter to Editor


Needle exchanges now distributing crack pipe tools



By Roszan Holmen - Victoria News


Published: February 07, 2010 4:00 PM


Without any fanfare, several needle-exchange agencies in town began distributing crack-pipe paraphernalia in September.

The move came after Victoria city council gave its blessing to the harm-reduction tactic in July.

"It's a bit too early to say how well things are going," said Michael Fyfe, medical health officer with the Vancouver Island Health Authority.

"We've committed to doing an evaluation on that project which we'll be doing likely this spring."

The idea is to reduce the risk of infection that comes with homemade pipes, often made from broken bottles, pop cans or anything else on hand. Users can cut or burn their mouths on the sharp edges, which can lead to bacterial infections, or more serious hepatitis C infections if pipes are shared.

So far, VIHA has distributed 47 boxes of plastic tubing, which serves as a protective mouthpiece for the pipe, to four agencies already distributing needles. VIHA also distributed 9,100 push sticks.

The cost to the taxpayer is extremely cheap compared to the cost of treating an infection, said Fyfe.

The new service comes at a time when more drug addicts are turning from heroin to crack cocaine, according to the Centre for Addictions Research B.C.

"There is a tendency toward less injection of illicit drugs and a movement toward inhalation of injection drugs," Fyfe said, adding 60 to 70 per cent of Greater Victoria's users are concentrated in Victoria.

The Victoria AIDS Resource & Community Service Society is among those distributing the crack tubes and sticks.

"People are taking the tubing and push sticks that we have, and the response is positive," said Adam Terpstra, an access worker with VARCS.

VARCS mobile exchange visits Street Link and the Sandi Merriman emergency shelter daily. It also makes house calls.

Terpstra estimates between 50 and 60 people ask for the tubing each month. They're given a length of about 60 centimetres, which can be cut into 10 to 14 mouthpieces.

"There's a healthy population that is reaching out using these services and they are passing on the information to other people."

rholmen@saanichnews.com

[medpot]

The Nanaimo Daily News


EDITORIAL


Harm reduction cheaper than not acting



Daily News
Published: Wednesday, March 24, 2010


The Vancouver Island Health Authority has not done much to inspire confidence among Nanaimo residents over the years, yet the work of administering health programs continues.

The latest news from VIHA is the decision to provide crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia at local health centres.

Though VIHA made a blunder several years ago when they tried handing out crack pipes to Nanaimo addicts, this time it seems that the health authority may have done its homework.

There seems to be no doubt that such a program is necessary. Even when the initial effort was scuttled after an outcry from residents and assertions from the city they were not consulted, no one argued with the need for harm prevention.

The problem at that time was the way VIHA went about setting up the program.

Today, not much has changed in regard to VIHA's justification for this program. It is, they argue, much more effective in terms of human suffering and money to invest in crack pipes and needles by preventing the transmission of such diseases as HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

There are those who say that spending such money is only facilitating and even encouraging drug abuse. They would rather their tax dollars were not put to use in what they consider to be supporting drug addiction.

VIHA has been very clear in this case. The harm-reduction model has been tried and considered a success in cities all over the world. And in Nanaimo, VIHA, through NARSF that runs Harris House on Franklyn Street, has had success in running a facility that has proven itself.

Concerns aired when Harris House opened early in 2009, again with no consultation from VIHA with the city, were loud enough that a way has been found to minimize the impact of that service to surrounding businesses.

Whether VIHA can emulate what Harris House has done is hard to say, because it seems that it is the efforts of NARSF, not VIHA, that have made that facility a success.

For whatever reason, and there are many, drug addiction is a serious problem in nearly every city in North America and Europe.

While it would be helpful for health agencies and authorities to participate in the debate about how to end this plague, the first obligation of organizations like VIHA is to the health of substance abusers and the community at large.

There's no doubt that if there were spiralling illnesses and associated costs resulting from the impaired health of drug addicts, and VIHA had a simple way to prevent such illnesses, the public would have a right to chastise VIHA then, too.

While the corporate dysfunction seems to continue at VIHA headquarters, we cannot forget that there are competent and dedicated people who continue to work on the front lines and it is they who will administer and oversee the distribution of crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia.

It appears that such a harm-reduction strategy is needed and important, and it is also important that the public in Nanaimo be vigilant about the effects.

Due to the haphazard management of VIHA, there is a real need that the organization be held to close scrutiny and strict account by taxpayers.

The fundamental point to remember though is that if it is done right, this service can be a benefit to the community.

Until our politicians get the will and the police get the means, it looks like drugs are going to be with us a while longer.




© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2010

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The Nanaimo Daily News


Letter


VIHA failing to listen to public on crack kits


Gordon W. Fuller, Daily News
Published: Thursday, March 25, 2010

VIHA management -- no disrespect to the many excellent frontline staff -- has taken its communication strategy to a whole new level. The level I speak of is one of intimidation and disregard of the opinions of the people they serve.

Openly stating that their proposal to distribute crack kits from frontline services will not include discussion with surrounding community and that service providers can only opt out with "compelling" reasons smacks of intimidation and coercion. If I were a service provider I would certainly feel any funding received from VIHA could be in jeopardy.

VIHA's website states it is "committed to being accountable to the public" and "committed to informing the public about how they plan to deliver services to meet the needs of communities."

Their mission is "serving and involving the people of the islands to maintain and improve health."

Two of their core values, partnership and collaboration and integrity, accountability and Ethics talk about working in partnership and sharing responsibility with our colleagues, clients, communities; honouring their commitments to each other and every person they serve and communicating with openness and honesty as well as holding themselves to the highest ethical standards.

These behaviours will only work to cement the publics' already low opinion of this organization.


Gordon W. Fuller

Nanaimo



© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2010

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The Nanaimo Daily News

Letter


Harris House success due to partnerships


Gordon Cote, The Daily News
Published: Friday, March 26, 2010


Re: 'Harm reduction cheaper than not acting' (Daily News, March 25)

As the agency that contracts with VIHA to deliver harm reduction services operated through Harris House, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Daily News for its educative components on the preventative effects harm reduction supplies have on community health.

I would add only that without the support of partnerships, Harris House would not have enjoyed the success achieved to date. In particular, VIHA Public Health, the City of Nanaimo and the RCMP should be acknowledged for their leadership and ongoing involvement.

However, three other factors have contributed to Harris House being a model of harm reduction service delivery; a dedicated competent staff group, an open and continuous dialogue with surrounding neighbours, businesses and community partners and finally, clients of Harris House who greatly appreciate this critical health service and who have made it their own by taking care of Harris House.


Gordon Cote

Director

NARSF Programs



© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2010