Crack-pipe mouthpieces free in B.C.

by Rob Peters | January 3, 2008 at 01:58 pm | 25743 views | 1 comment

Considering all the drug gear already available at needle exchanges, I'm surprised no one thought of this sooner.

The B.C. Ministry of Health will provide crack-pipe mouthpieces to people who smoke crack, as part of the province's harm-reduction strategy.

Dr. Perry Kendall, the province's chief medical officer, said the simple mouthpieces made from surgical tubing will be distributed though needle exchanges and other community health services as early as April.

The program is intended to cut down on the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and syphilis that can be spread by smokers sharing glass crack pipes, said Kendall.

Crack smokers often have burns and sores on their lips, he said, so when users share a pipe, they will be able to use their own mouthpiece and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Crack is a cheap and highly addictive illegal drug made from cocaine.

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project2501

at 13:00 on January 5th, 2008

Once again, cOmmOn sense triumphs!! tOp idea Mr.Dr. Perry Kendall!!

It seems the world is learnin, sort of, that bannin ting makes ting worse!! Peopls need to be 'taught' how to do/use stuff right, in this case jus usin common sense!! The difference is little, between prevention an solution, but ridiculously impOrtant.

I personally do nOt 'indulge', but if crackpeopls are healthier for it then that has gOt to be gOOd!! Has this idea been teleported to Britain?? I hope so 'cos it's a damn fine idea.

(About the photo: A friend an I took a weekend trip to Amsterdam an couldn't stop laughin at what we found in our hotel rooms kithen drawer!!)