Pubdate: Wed, 06 Apr 2005
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Russell Barth
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by Newshawk

THE PLAN WORKS

RE "Crack kits rile top cop" Ottawa Police Chief Vince Bevan said
that. "... I fear that we will be picking up these kits on streets, in
parks and school yards." He makes a good point. If the the number of
pipes and needles and condoms currently found on the street is any
indication, then, yes, we will be finding them all over the city. But
better these pipes than the spread of deadly diseases.

The facts remain; this plan has been in Toronto and other cities for a
long time, and it has helped reduce the spread of disease. The plan
works.

Free pipes that cost pennies per kit will reduce the number of people
the country will have to supply with highly expensive Hep C and HIV
medications years from now. "A stitch in time saves nine," as they
say.

Russell Barth

Educators For Sensible Drug Policy

(We keep hearing the theory; about the evidence we aren't so sure)
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin