Pubdate: Fri, 27 Aug 2004
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2004 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Jason Bell
Cited: Winnipeg Regional Health Authority http://www.wrha.mb.ca/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)

ADDICTS GET SAFER DRUG KITS

Outreach Program Aims to Curb Spread of Disease

SOME hard-core crack cocaine users are now getting drug paraphernalia from 
the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority through a program designed to curb 
the spread of diseases.

Dr. Margaret Fast, the WRHA's medical officer of health, said yesterday 
kits are being handed out by staff of Street Connections, which already 
distributes condoms and exchanges needles to prostitutes and drug users as 
part of its outreach program.

The kits contain a glass-tube pipe, cleaners, alcohol swabs and matches in 
an effort to reduce the harms associated with crack cocaine use -- seen as 
the current drug of choice in Winnipeg.

The kits cost the WRHA about $2 apiece.

Since Aug. 16, about half of the 200 kits assembled have been distributed, 
in hopes of reducing the number of addicts with sores and burns on their 
lips and throat -- conditions that may lead to the spread of hepatitis and 
also HIV.

"I think this is a very good use of public health -- it's a harm-reduction 
service," said Fast. "We're not helping (addicts) have more, we're helping 
them to be safer when they use. "People who use crack are already doing it 
and they are often using very poor equipment, so we want them to be safe 
when they undertake this activity."

Fast said staff do an assessment of clients and try to make a positive 
connection before kits are handed out.

Staff then also have a chance to talk to users about undergo treatment.

"It's all very controlled," she said. "We work with our clientele on a 
one-on-one basis. We won't go (to known crack houses) and hand them out."

A spokeswoman with the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba said the 
organization supports the WRHA initiative.

"The objective is to keep those folks as safe as they can, while building a 
relationship with them," said Laura Goosen, director of the Winnipeg 
region. "Hopefully, those users will move toward a point when they are 
ready to make changes in their life." About 10 kits are distributed each 
night to inner-city drug users.

Winnipeg police were informed of the program, but did not offer any 
concerns, the WRHA reports.

The glass-tube pipe is much safer and easier to clean than the metal 
version used and often shared on the streets, Fast said.

"The kit has a long life expectancy," Fast said. "But the plan is to make 
up more kits if we need them."

The kits also contain lip balm to prevent users' lips from cracking, and 
also chewing gum to prevent teeth from grinding.

The WRHA is planning a survey of users to gauge the success of the program, 
which was requested by users as an equivalent program to one in Toronto.

Goossen dismissed suggestions the kits will promote drug use.

"Some say this is enabling addicts, but our experience tells us they're 
using regardless," she said. "So, why not try to keep them as safe as 
possible and build a relationship with them until they're ready to maybe 
use some of the services available?" 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake