Pubdate: Fri, 08 Apr 2005
Source: Barrhaven Independent (CN ON)
Page: 4
Copyright: 2005 Barrhaven Independent
Contact:  http://www.barrhavenindependent.on.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3715
Note: Published 2nd and 4th Saturday of month
Author: Jan Harder
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

CRACK KITS NOT WHERE IT'S AT

Last week I wrote about the interview conducted with Jessica and her mother 
Heather.

Heather called me this week clearly perplexed at the decision by our 
Medical Officer of Health to hand out free crack kits.

Heather is not alone.

In fact our Chief of Police Vince Bevan is scratching his head as well and 
is quoted as saying, "Quite frankly, I have some problems with the crack 
cocaine pipes that are being distributed in this community," said Mr. 
Bevan. "I see this initiative that enables drug use and I fear that we will 
be picking up these kits on streets, in parks and school yards."

Certainly my issue with this project is not the cost; it is only some 
$5,000. I believe, as does the Chief, that this is not a harm reduction 
program because it is focused on stopping the spread of HIV and hepatitis C 
and does absolutely nothing about the connection between drug use and 
criminality.

As is often the case levels of government who wish to appear "like" they 
are dealing with societal/criminal problems while merely throwing a little 
money at what is the "pimple" on a very large iceberg.

Sadly some in this society buy in to left wing, halfbaked, programs such as 
this.

Folks please tell me that you agree that this is just another case where we 
are doing some thing to look like we are doing some thing not taking 
effective action.

Even Dr. Cushman admits that there are not enough rehab, jail cells, police 
officers, etc. available in our city and that the cost per spot is 
prohibitive but excuse me in my opinion a cost of five cents would be too 
much for this program.

We don't even have a detox centre but here we are handing out crack kits. 
In fact we send kids to the States which wastes more time while parents 
wait for OHIP approval.

Recently Louise Logue, youth intervention manager for the Ottawa Police 
Services and known to many in this community, told me about a 12 year old 
prostitute being forced to recruit others into her habit/lifestyle and the 
parents didn't even know!

Last week a couple of our Barrhaven teens were charged with assault causing 
bodily harm. One of these punks had previously threatened to "slice 
someone's throat open".

Good and good as well to the kids charged with panhandling at the Walter 
Baker. Why do you think they are panhandling drugs of course?

Are the lines of communication open between you and your kids? Bring it on 
police officers; you have my support and I am sure that of all Ottawa 
residents. I have been telling you of the good work stemming from this 
community's community partners committee (all the principals of your 
children's Barrhaven schools and our community police).

Our next meeting will be held April 8, here in Barrhaven and we will be 
discussing all this I am sure.

At the last meeting I had suggested a youth team/committee of Barrhaven kids
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom