Pubdate: Mon, 10 Feb 2014
Source: Toronto 24hours (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Canoe Inc.
Contact:  http://24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4068
Author: Jessica Hume
Page: 7

MAN BEHIND CRACK PIPE VENDING WANTS FEDS TO SUPPORT DETOX AND TREATMENT

An addiction worker behind Canada's first crack pipe vending machines
has shot back at the government's lack of support, saying if they
"really cared about people, they would at least fund detox and
treatment programs."

Vancouver's Drug Users Resource Centre (DURC) set up two vending
machines that sell crack pipes for a quarter. They were installed six
months ago but made headlines recently, prompting Public Safety
Minister Steven Blaney to issue a swift and emphatic response.

"Drug use damages the health of individuals and the safety of our
communities,"Blaney said in a statement. "This government supports
treatment that ends drug use, including limiting access to drug
paraphernalia by young people." DURC's Mark Townsend said the
government means well but misses the point when it comes to
the"complex issue" of drug addiction. He challenges Blaney to "come on
down, I'll show you the treatment centre where (Prime Minister
Stephen) Harper just gutted funding from."

Townsend said even if the government is against injection centres and
crack pipe vending machines, its lack of funding for treatment and
detox centres belies its claims it cares about Canadians.

His argument is clean pipes reduce transmission of HIV, hepatitis C
and other communicable diseases. "We encourage and embrace safe
practices," he said. "It protects all of us and saves money."
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MAP posted-by: Matt