Pubdate: Fri, 29 May 2009
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html
Website: http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n563/a08.html
Author: Lorna Mace

CRACK PIPES CUT HEALTH COSTS

A reader was "appalled" that some Victoria councillors have proposed
the distribution of crack pipes.

My immediate reaction is to respond in terms of my perspective:
Addiction is a social justice issue.

I will, however, respond based on the writer's concern --
economics.

Consider the cost of distributing disposable crack pipes to people who
are using substances. Now consider the cost of treating a person
(note: a person, not a "drug addict") living with hepatitis C, which
was transmitted through a shared crack pipe. You do the math.

Lorna Mace

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake