Pubdate: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Vancouver Courier Contact: http://www.vancourier.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474 Author: Mark Hasiuk Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED CRACK HOUSE BREAKS NEW GROUND Fledgling Research Team Recommends Out-of-the-box Harm Reduction Initiatives As reported last week in the Courier, pending approval from Health Canada, the PHS Community Services Society, which operates the Insite supervised injection site and several social housing projects, will open a crack cocaine inhalation facility in the Downtown Eastside. The PHS cites a study compiled by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, the organization also responsible for Insite's existence. Study researchers tracked 1,048 crack smokers over a nine-year period and found that 137 contracted HIV, possibly through wounds and sores around the mouth. "These wounds may make people who smoke crack more vulnerable to HIV transmission," says the study, "during activities such as oral sex or sharing of crack pipes." I know what you're thinking. In addition to crack cocaine, crack addicts use intravenous drugs (heroin, for example) and often participate in prostitution--two high risk activities rife with HIV and AIDS. And the aforementioned B.C. Centre, led by Dr. Julio Montaner and researcher Thomas Kerr, has long lobbied for a crack smoking room and their research methods may reflect that desire. But that doesn't mean a government-sponsored crack house is a bad idea. In fact, in conjunction with my own crack research team, the V.C. Centre for Excellent Ideas, I've compiled a list of two other like-minded harm reduction initiatives for the Downtown Eastside. SOLVENT INHALATION ROOM According to Health Canada, there is no safe way to inhale chemicals. Oh really? That sounds like a challenge. Sniffing, as it's known on the street, is a cheap way to numb the misery associated with chronic poverty and despair. The practice is popular among destitute addicts, including many young aboriginals who have lost all hope. But sniffing is risky business. A bad trip can be fatal. Blackouts, temporary blindness and heart attacks are common, and death from vomit inhalation is always a concern. So the solvent inhalation room, known as NoSight, must be carefully managed. NoSight will offer popular over-the-counter hydrocarbons such as glue, petrol, dry cleaning fluid, nail polish, spray paint and other aerosols. Fresh paper bags, which help trap those intoxicating fumes, will be distributed to NoSight users and sanitary wipes will eliminate those tell-tale stains around the mouth and nose. A nurse will monitor user disorientation, hallucination, cramping and jerky movement. Of course, literature detailing the long-term effects of sniffing (brain damage, kidney failure, liver failure, death) will be available to all users. And every three months, consulting physicians will compile data for peer review and question the humanity of NoSight opponents. RICE WINE TENT In 1999, due to police pressure, the provincial government barred grocery and liquor stores from selling rice wine--a cheap alcoholic beverage favoured by homeless and low-income residents of the Downtown Eastside. According to research conducted by the V.C. Centre for Excellent Ideas, this prohibition has caused more harm than good. While alcohol-related deaths have waned, rum and vodka use is on the rise. To counteract this disturbing trend, we propose a rice wine tent--similar to beer tents at rock concerts and sporting events--based on the wildly popular methadone maintenance program. One large yellow tent will be erected on the southwest corner of Main and Hastings. Tent patrons will receive two free shots of rice wine every two hours. University students looking to pad their post-grad resumes with volunteer work will strictly regulate consumption. No chug-a-lugging, shot gunning or cup sharing. All drinking games, including Chase the Ace and Fuzzy Duck, will be strictly prohibited. And like the methadone program, tent patrons won't be burdened by mandatory treatment or counselling. T-shirts and button sales will help fund the project. Possible merchandise slogans include "I got wrecked on government wine" and "Rice is nice." IN CONCLUSION These two initiatives, in addition to Insite and the crack smoking room, will cement the Downtown Eastside's status as Canada's most unbelievable neighbourhood. Thanks to pioneers like Kerr and Montaner, who devise ground-breaking policy based on tangential evidence in their laboratory at UBC, neighbourhood residents can expect more astonishing ideas aimed at their health and well-being. And while the ideas may mystify, folks shouldn't ask too many questions. When will the experiments end? Don't hold your breath. No, wait, on second thought. Hold your breath. You'll absorb the smoke better. And that's what they want, believe it or not. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom