Pubdate: Fri, 02 Dec 2011 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2011 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 Author: Jessica Beddaoui PIPES TAKE CRACK AT HIV In an effort to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in Ottawa, researchers and health professionals are taking a hands-on approach to minimize the impact of crack cocaine use. In 2008, the Safer Inhalation Program was launched at the Somerset West Community Health Centre with the intention to put an end to risky drug use. Their goal was clear; if crack cocaine users are provided with clean pipes, the spread of HIV and hepatitis C would decline. After the initiative was in place, Dr. Lynne Leonard, research scientist and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa, examined the factors that contributed to the high levels of infection among drug users in Ottawa. She discovered that when clean pipes are not available, drug users would turn to makeshift pipes like pop cans, lightbulbs, and pill bottles. "What happens is as the rock of crack is heated and inhaled if there's no protection on the mouth these devices create cracks and blisters and sores and if somebody is HIV positive or Hepatitis C positive the virus is going to be on those injuries, in the blood, and if they've just smoked a pipe and handed it to someone else and that person also has sores, that's how HIV enters the body," said Dr. Leonard. Her study also revealed that when clean pipes were available, drug users were less inclined to share. "We saw that by (putting) an increase of pipes into circulation (there were) much better smoking practices. People were not using these devices which are associated with HIV and hepatitis circulation," she said. For a complete list of Dr. Leonard's recommendations, visit uottawa.ca