Pubdate: Fri, 14 Oct 2005
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2005, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Jennifer Lewington, City Hall Bureau Chief
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

CITY ACTION ON DRUGS INADEQUATE, REPORT SAYS

Toronto needs to tackle its growing drug-abuse problems -- with 
alcohol and crack cocaine at the top of the list -- with a strategy 
proved elsewhere that brings everyone to the table, including police, 
health officials and governments, according to a major report 
obtained by The Globe and Mail.

The authors of the report, which is scheduled to be released today, 
conclude that the current mix of one-off measures and disjointed 
government action is inadequate when drugs like crystal 
methamphetamine appear in Toronto.

"Crystal meth arrived on the scene two years ago and we have no idea 
how to respond to it," said city councillor Kyle Rae (Toronto 
Centre-Rosedale), the chairman of the Toronto Drug Strategy Advisory 
Committee. "We don't know what to say about it, we don't know enough 
about it, we don't know where it is getting into the community and 
who is affected by it."

Two other top recommendations, among a total of 66 in the report, are 
expected to draw political fire.

One supports passage of already-proposed federal legislation to 
decriminalize the consumption of small quantities of cannabis for 
personal use. The 45-member committee also calls for tougher 
enforcement of traffickers.

The other recommends that drug users, especially those who smoke 
crack cocaine, have access to clean equipment to reduce the spread of 
hepatitis C.

On the most controversial remedy -- safe sites for addicts to consume 
drugs under supervision -- the committee decided more study is needed.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman