Crack Cocaine: From the No Sh*t Sherlock Files

Sun, April 13, 2008Drug squeeze can lead to violent crime, warns top docBy KENNETH JACKSON, SUN MEDIAInjection drug users say a police crackdown on downtown dealers has made it more difficult for them to get their fix, which the city's medical officer of health warns could lead to an increase in violent crime.

Dr. David Salisbury said by reducing the number of crack cocaine traffickers, addicts will resort to doing desperate things, like committing violent crimes.

"What happens when (addicts) get desperate?" said Salisbury, firmly agreeing when a reporter suggested they might commit break and enters, assaults or murder.

Salisbury said the Ottawa police Street Crime Unit's (SCU) crackdown on dealers hasn't reduced the number of injection drug addicts, which he pegs at around 3,000 to 5,000.

"Our approach to drug use is enforcement," said Salisbury. "We emphasize enforcement." He said more government funding needs to be funnelled into treatment centres, prevention and harm reduction.

The waiting list for adults to get a bed in a treatment program in Ottawa can be more than a year because of limited resources, and many addicts are forced to seek treatment elsewhere, such as the U.S.125 ARRESTS

SCU Staff Sgt. Samir Bhatnagar says they've arrested more than 125 suspected dealers and prostitutes since the pilot project began last fall."We know it's harder to find (crack) downtown," said Bhatnagar.Still, the drug will continue to find its way to addicts, he said."I don't expect it to disappear because of enforcement. It's still popular," he said.

Last fall, in conjunction with the launch of the SCU, Shepherds and two other shelters created a red zone for suspected dealers facing drug charges.Until their case is dealt with in court, a suspected dealer is not allowed to come within 500 metres of the shelters.Dr. Robert Cushman, Ottawa's former medical officer of health and now CEO of the Champlain Local Health Integration Network, also believes there needs to be a cultural shift. He has said governments need to spend more on treatment and prevention.

Next week, the Champlain LHIN is expected to receive a report that recommends the construction of a $7-million, 28-bed youth drug treatment centre in the capital.Glenn Barnes, executive director of Addiction Services for Eastern Ontario, prepared the "comprehensive" report and says it's the best approach to fight addiction.