HOW TO HELP CRACK USERS

Police, Councillor Say Handing Out Free Paraphernalia Promotes Drug
Use

Controversy about giving free crack pipes to addicts is similar to the
debate that arose when needle exchange programs started 20 years ago,
says an addict outreach worker.

"It's just another form of harm reduction," says Diane Bailey, program
director for the Mainline Needle Exchange.

Ms. Bailey has worked with the Halifax organization since it opened in
north-end Halifax in 1992.

Needle exchange programs keep addicts who inject drugs from sharing
dirty needles and spreading diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis
C.

"We're a health promotion project," said Ms. Bailey.

Now Mainline is trying to make inroads in the crack-using
community.

"We're starting to meet another (population)," Ms. Bailey
said.

Crack users tend to be younger than traditional Mainline clients, who
have been between 35 and 75, Ms. Bailey said. They lead erratic
lifestyles, and many suffer from paranoia, she said.

The safe-crack kits contain a glass pipe stem, a rubber mouthpiece and
a screen to hold the burning crack.

Crack users often have dry, cracked lips, blisters or mouth sores.
Sharing a pipe, like sharing a dirty needle, can spread disease, Ms.
Bailey said.

Deputy Police Chief Chris McNeil has expressed surprise in hearing
about the crack kits and concern that Mainline may be promoting use of
the drug, which is often linked to violent crime.

The potential harm caused by sharing dirty crack pipes is not the same
as with injecting needles, said the deputy chief, who chairs a
Canadian police chiefs' committee on drug abuse.

"There's a substantial difference in the harm," Deputy Chief McNeil
said in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. "There is no safe way
to use crack."

He asked whether society should put money into prolonging crack use or
whether "we should simply be taking that public money and putting it
into treatment (programs) to get these people off crack, to get them
off the streets and to reduce the violent activities that they are
engaged in."

"If this was a comprehensive program to get them off drugs, I'd think
about that," he said. "This program sustains dangerous drug abuse."

Early this spring, there were 40 robberies in the metro area, and of
the 10 people charged in them, seven are drug addicts, Deputy Chief
McNeil said.

Ms. Bailey acknowledges the connection between drugs and crime but
emphasized that her program does not encourage anyone to use drugs.
Besides trying to keep drug addicts from contracting or spreading
disease, the workers are a source or support and information for
addicts who are trying to kick their habits, she said.

Mainline also works with Stepping Stone, an advocacy group that offers
support to women and men involved in the sex trade.

"We fully support Mainline in giving out the crack kits, and we are
hoping to find it in our budget to do the same," said Dawn
Archambault, executive director of Stepping Stone.

On a typical day, the groups' outreach teams receive three to four
requests for crack kits, Ms. Archambault said.

She too denies the kits promote drug use.

"This promotes making healthy choices," she said.

Coun. Steve Streatch said he recognizes that organizations like
Stepping Stone do some good work.

"But they should concentrate on education and on helping these young
people off the crack and the very heavy drugs, not almost making it
easier for them to continue their use," he said.

Mr. Streatch said that as a father of five, he would feel hypocritical
preaching to his children about the evils of crack cocaine "while
their provincial government is propping up this kind of activity."

He said he plans to raise the issue at council and to ask what avenues
exist to put a stop to such activity.

Ms. Bailey, who is in her 50s, said she knows what its like to be an
addict.

"I'm a recovering person," she said. "I was out there for 25
years."

She said she would like an opportunity to meet with Deputy Chief
McNeil and discuss the crack-kit program.

As for publicity about the crack kits, even if some of it is negative,
it's a good thing, Ms. Bailey said.

"There always has to be discussion; it provides awareness," she said.
"There are so many positive things around what we are doing."