Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jun 2010
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Author: Wawmeesh G. Hamilton
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

HEALTH UNIT TO DOLE OUT CRACK KITS

Providing sanitary drug supplies will stem the spread of HIV and 
hepatitis C, says Vancouver Island Health Authority chief medical 
health officer Dr. Lorna Medd.

City councillors listened as Medd gave a presentation on an 
initiative that will see local health officials distribute crack kits 
to Port Alberni's marginalized drug community.

Medical staff will administer the initiative through the local health 
unit, and will begin distributing the kits shortly, Medd said.

Supplying the kits doesn't enable drug users, but rather keeps them 
healthy until they can pursue healing options, she said.

"Harm reduction does not promote drug use, I feel confident in 
reporting that to you," Medd said. "We are in the business of 
distributing safer crack supplies for the purpose of preventing the 
spread of diseases."

The kits will consist of a rubber mouthpiece that will fit over a 
crack pipe, a push stick to insert the drug and dime-size brass 
screens to filter toxic drug byproducts out.

The goals of the initiative are to reduce infectious disease 
transmission, and to establish relationships between users and the 
health system.

Referring to a chart, Medd said that crack use in the central Island 
has gone from five per cent in 1996 to 40-60 per cent now.

As well, 26 Port Alberni drug users participated in a 2008 study that 
exam-ined central Island injection drug use.

The study reported that 72 per cent tested positive for hepatitis C 
and five per cent for HIV. Thirty eight per cent reported sharing 
drug equipment in a one-month period.

There is also an economic case to be made for distributing sanitary 
drug kits. "It costs $150,000 to $200,000 to treat an HIV patient," Medd said.

Councillors had mixed reaction to Medd's presentation.

"A lot of people have the theory that you are enabling users to 
continue," Coun. Ike Patterson said.

"People who require harm reduction are already engaged in that life," 
Medd said. "And getting clean supplies does prevent the spread of HIV 
and hep C."

Coun. Hira Chopra asked about rates of users who seek treatment."With 
addiction to crack we have no treatment ---- there is not even a 
methadone equivalent," Medd said. "Harm reduction ensures that they 
are safe right now with the hope that they'll make changes later."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom