Canadian Health Officials Keeping People Healthy…by Handing Out Crack Pipes
- Posted on August 4, 2011 at 6:04pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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Canadian health officials are keeping people healthy, one crack pipe at a time.
That’s right, Vancouver Coastal Health is reportedly set to roll out a pilot project come October that will see healthcare workers hand out crack-kits to welcome participants. Each “kit” will reportedly contain a clean, unused crack-pipe, mouthpiece, filter and above all, condoms. And all at the modest cost of between $50,000 and $60,000.
What’s more, Vancouver is just next in line after several cities, including Calgary and Winnipeg, that have a system of distributing crack-pipes to drug users. The goal is, according to health officials, is to prevent the spread of Hepatitis C, among other illnesses.
But, according to one health official, participants of the pilot will have to act fast, while “supplies” last.
“We know there’s a demand and chances are what we’re going to be able to supply won’t last very long,” said Dr. Reka Gustafson, an official with Vancouver Coastal Health. The program is set to run for six months to one year.
According to the Vancouver Sun:
The intent is to connect health care workers with crack cocaine smokers to evaluate how many of the drug users are in the city and what equipment they need to lower their risk of catching diseases such as hepatitis C, HIV and even respiratory illnesses.
“There’s been a shift to crack cocaine smoking and we want to make sure the services we provide are the services they need … if we’re providing syringes and what we need are pipes, we’re not serving them,” Gustafson said.
Health officials already provide mouthpieces for crack pipes but not the pipe themselves. This means many drug users are sharing the glass pipes, which may be old or chipped, and are at risk of contracting a disease, such as hepatitis C, from cuts on their mouths, or respiratory illness or pneumonia from inhaling crumbling filters or the crack directly into their lungs.
“It’s just understanding and knowing the health consequences of crack cocaine smoking,” Gustafson said.
“Mouth pieces alone are not enough. Health consequences don’t just come from the mouth piece; they come from unsafe pipes.
The pilot targets Vancouver’s rising crack cocaine smokers, which already number about 15,000 in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside alone. The project was reportedly initiated due to an increased demand for crack smoking supplies in the area.
But we can all breathe a sigh of relief, as the kits apparently only contain the mouth pieces and push sticks used to clean the filters, and not the drugs themselves.
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Comments (80)
markgl
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:45amThe world is coming to an end. What else is here to say!?
Report Post »Zorro6821
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:04amNo the world is not coming to and end. Canada is doing quite well, thanks to a robust immigration policy that encourages only talented and educated people to become citizens. Also they take care of their people with yes the S word “Socialised Healthcare”. They also have a great low cost educational system. They have a parliamentary system that has a multi party system, meaning more than 2. Canadians can call an election anytime through a no confidence vote, so the Prime Minister is always watching his back. That is true democracy. Canada also has the lowest Corporate Tax rate of all the industrialized countries, not to mention that Canada, not Saudi Arabia is the largest supplier of Oil to the USA. And for all the morons who know very little beyond Fox and the NBC, ABC, CBS…Canada is the US’s largest trading partner, not China. Put that in your crack pipe.
Report Post »Southern Rebel
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:59pmMe thinks Zoro is a little offended. As a Canadian myself, who happily left the liberalism and socialism rampant throughout that once proud land; I will tell you that this kind of BS has been going on for years and the taxpayers just keep on payin.
Report Post »The real difference, is Cdns like to complain a LOT, but they never do anything about it. It‘s why the Conservative Party of Canada is no better than RINO’s or as I like to call it, Liberal Light.
The Cdn healthcare black hole is great; just don’t get really sick and hope to God you have a family Doctor, or it’s a long wait for service.
forenikegolf
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:45pmZorro, I think you’ve been using one of these free pipes. First of all the United States is not a democracy, I know uneducated individuals like yourself who think government is at its best when its at its largest, think the US is a democracy but you’re wrong. The United States is a representative republic, while Canada is pluralistic democracy. It‘s an important distinction because you seem to have the misguided view that if the US were more like Canada’s brand of democracy we’d be better off. It’s a totally different political system.
Moreover, this discussion on oil and trade partners; I‘m not sure what relevance that has to a developed nation’s government handing out free crack pipes? Crack, the most addictive and destructive drug in the world, Canada is going to assist in its consumption, really? I think this clearly shows a digression, not a progression. It’s literally saying “I give up, we‘re a society that is dominated by drug users who can’t stop themselves from destroying their bodies. So since we’ve lost that battle, at least we can help people do drugs more safely.” WTF? Are you all looking to move back into caves up there in Canada or what? Give me a break. It’s this socialist utopian desire that leads to degenerate societies consisting of so many crack smokers the government is left only to aid in their high. What a tragic society.
Report Post »Legal Immigrant
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:37amFAIL FAIL FAIL
On a side note. Anyone that attended the Vancouver Olympdicks? Did you see any addicts, homeless people, etc around?
No. They were moved out ahead of time. My my my. Smacks of somethiing China would do. Canada is Communist since 1968. Where they have been is where you are heading IF you don’t put the brakes on right away. On May 2 2011, Canada put a Social Conservative Government in power. A swing of the pendulum is in process.
Stop your pendulum America, NOW.
Report Post »Zorro6821
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:48amGreat idea. Canada is smart enough to recognise the phony war on drugs that cost taxpayers billions of dollars and yield zero results and is corrupt to the core. Handing out crack pipes to addicts reduces disease and crime. They also handout syringes and have a well funded methadone program. Canada is thinking out of the box and I think they are on the right path.
Report Post »Southern Rebel
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:03pmThe liberal hypocrites always come out in droves when it comes to socialized medicine in Canada. They’ll hand out syringes and crack pipes to addicts, but they’ll hide cigarettes, a legal product, behind cupboards and curtains to prevent kids from smoking.
Report Post »It should also be stated that British Columbia, is one of the highest taxed provinces in Canada and is as left of center of NObama and his socialist minions in Congress today. Not exactly something to be proud of.
The Charter of Wrongs really destroyed Canada, but 1968 was the beginning of the end.
saranda
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:35amA small investment of $50,000- 60,000 total (not per pipe or kit) is not a bad tradeoff to identify who the street users are and get them in to identify what medical issues the health providers will have to deal with when treating them in the future (at emerg and other clinics). It is a good investment in preventing your health care providers from being exposed to various illnesses these users might have and/or spread . It actually is quite an ingenious idea to “catalogue” the users, especially those from Vancouvers east end which most tourists never see but the locals know all about.
Report Post »I wouldn’t expect too many minds on here to understand the need to protect your health care community with programs like this, but I think the Canadians are way ahead of us in things like preventative health care.
Zorro6821
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:50amSaranda….it is refreshing to see someone on this post that has an IQ above room temperature.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:25amI could only hope the Canadian People pass a Government Sterilization Program so these Politicians don’t pro-create. DIP WADS. Please don’t cross the waters of the Great Lakes.
Report Post »Brizz
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:23amBlame Canada
Report Post »TAKE_NO_PRISONERS
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:06amYou Canucks really are pathetic.
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:49amWhy do we suck? because our dollar is worth more because of you dumb ass POTUS.
Report Post »If your Communists organizations like “ACORN” and others would stay out of our country
we wouldn’t have people handing out crack pipes or aborting our children. We recently got rid
of the lefties and will turn this crap around. You will still have Obummer and his commies
to socialize the US. Good luck with that! I support the TEA PARTY!
nysparkie
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:18amHe never said SUCK. Just pathetic. Don’t get your panties all bunched up.
Report Post »TAKE_NO_PRISONERS
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:38amI said pathetic…..as to be pitied,you sucking ain’t a got nothin to do with being pitied. DEFINITION….sympathetic or kindly sorrow evoked by the suffering, distress, or misfortune of another,
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:02amExactly what we need, healthy crack heads. Lets do it here and for meth heads too.
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:04amWhat do you think most of your politicians are smoking? Crack heads that get caught in drug scandals and sex scandals, and you have the audacity to talk about others? Typical. The US is the biggest three ring circus ever. Oh and by the way the organizations that started in the US such as ACORN bring crack pipes and abortion to our country. You can keep them! We have elected a CONSERVATIVE government and will take care of these commies. Our dollar has gone up since (worth more than US). What are you (Americans) doing?
The Tea Party is your only hope for individual freedom! This would be good for the US and the WORLD!
TEA!
Report Post »jcliffo3
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:25amI am with scrambler on this on, I am also a canadian who supports the tea and believe it is the only hope for the world especially canada, we live in communist socialist country I am not blind to that, our government censors everything and puts regulations on everything except what toilet paper to use to wipe our butts. Its nice to see there are other canadians that can see it and are not brain washed.
Report Post »Thelma Lightspeed
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:58amThe liberal mind is truly incomprehensible.
Report Post »R2
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:48amI can just see the progressives in America now, they are all giddy and will be going to congress or their health provider and asking were my crak pipe sucker??? if you dont giveme one i hurt you..
and do not forget the crack.
This is just nuts, they are just taking over. Well I am safe for a while I live in the mountains if we get some of these nuts here we will take care of them the hillbilly way lol
Report Post »thegodfather
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:07amWTF? Just free pipes?….They don’t hand out crack too?
Time to add that to the list of basic “human rights” for liberals.
Crack.
Report Post »one years food ration like glenn says
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:40amCrack doesn‘t kill it’s the STD’s that you get off the pipe that does it.. Sheesh everyone knows that.. ERERRRRR, AHHHHHH !!!! MORONS… The U.S dems/libs/idiots are soon to follow suit..
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:16amDumb ass libs here in Canada say ” If we make sure each user has a clean pipe and does not share it, this would reduce the number of hepatitis cases on our social health care. This is social medicine at it’s best. Thank God we have a Majority Conservative Party in power and will turn this crap around!
Get rid of Obama care or this is your future! I hope my neighbor Americans can get rid of these progressives in their government.
TEA!
Report Post »Zorro6821
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:22amSounds better than leaving the US-Mexico border wide open, so all the crack and heroin can be sold to your kids. Maybe when someone n your family is addicted or dies from drugs, you will see things a little different or maybe you will just say let them die. I think we have bigger fish to fry. Go Canada !!
Report Post »Bowmaster
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:08amThere’s a “crack” in the time, space continuim and it’s sucking us into another dimension where liberals rule the world.
Report Post »It’s called “Planet of the Apes”!
Liberals are nuts!!
chazman
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:19am… to our frozen brethren up north … these programs do not work!! Socialism does not work!! Look at the Dutch! Look at the Danes etc!! Their drug problems are epidemic!! Socialism sucks!! Don’t ya miss being able to say what ya want without being arrested and prosecuted for it? Don’t you miss being able to earn as much money as you can and then KEEP it? Do you miss being FREE? You were once, you know. Do you remember?
Report Post »jkjk
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:40amAwesome, that’s what we have to look forward to with obama care. Socialized medicine is the way to go!
Report Post »ColoradoMaverick
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:59amThis is great! Let’s do everything we can to help people destroy their lives and avoid having to take responsibility for their own actions. How about using this as a sting operation. When the addicts show up, put them in custody and provide free drug treatment. Place their kids in a safe home with relatives or a caring foster family and make these people face their addictions and force them to get off drugs so that they can be parents again and contribute to society.
Report Post »Falindraun
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:49amThank you. Thank you. Thank you. Now that is the comment of the century. As I agree with it 100%
Report Post »likwidlizard
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:35amStupid is as stupid does. How does aiding someone’s crack addiction make them healthier? Just take them out when they’ve been caught more than twice and put a bullet in their head. That will SOLVE the crack addiction very quickly. What a waste of $$$. A bullet is cheaper.
Report Post »one years food ration like glenn says
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:50am“Stupid is as stupid does” . As you said… As you were, carrry on now..
Report Post »mikester8888
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:30amYou know there are many nick names for drugs…….cocaine = ‘the love drug’. marijuana = ‘Mary Jane’…so on and so forth……i got a new one….crack = stimulas
Report Post »okie6n2
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:00amwhats next do your time get a nine.thats right free handgun to every one who completes their prison sentence 2 years served minimum requirement
Report Post »Sheepdog911
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:51amNow there’s a medical treatment worthy of ObamaCare.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:19amvancouver has been helping druggies get drugs and do drugs for many years now . they have safe houses where heroin can be used with free needles courtesy of the tax payer. crack pipes are only the lastest addition to the menu.
Report Post »Shiroi Raion
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:09amI like it! More Liberals will move to Canada!
Report Post »okie6n2
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:58amwhats next? do your time get a nine.free handgun for every person completing a prison sentence 2 years served minimum required
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:39amThey don’t have gun crimes in Canada, remember? Only “hunting accidents.” :)
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:21ambioh. yeah they hunt on the streets of toronto with the illegal hand guns that no one really has.
Report Post »XScramblerX
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 10:25amI like it! More Liberals will move to Canada!
This is exactly what has happened. Acorn came to Canada! See the results.
Report Post »Only we are working at sending them (ACORN) back to the US before they invite the
Black Panthers and other commie organizations from the US.
KEEP YOUR LIBS PLEASE! WE HAVE ENOUGH OF OUR OWN PROGRESSIVES!
chipmunk
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:03amto MICHAELHUGGINS2; the Blaze didn’t get it wrong, you (& maybe some others) read it wrong. Of course it’s not $50-60K per kit. The subject program costs $50-60K.
Report Post »& PS – what a waste. And note the govt person saying “..if we’re providing syringes and what we need are pipes, we’re not serving them,” . SERVING THEM? Isn’t crack smoking illegal in Canada? Mama mia.
PelositheGreat
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 7:19amCome on now, their tax payers too….. oh, never mind…..
Report Post »Kemosabe-1
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:35amI thought I heard it all.
Report Post »JDF2036
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:50amIt’ll get even more novel, just watch.
Report Post »miles from nowhere
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:48amI thought Canada was just keeping there people stupid, now it turns out they are keeping them loaded on crack too!
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:19amI’ve seen many a farmer out plowing the fields smoking the crack pipe, they disguise it as a corn cob pipe but it’s crack they are smoking, crack I tells ya.
Report Post »STEEZYD
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:01amInsite in Vancouver is a special hospital for drug addicts to go shoot up heroin, smoke crack etc. They even provide nice clean needles for the junkies. And all of this at the cost of tax payers. It is even a “cop free” zone. We just debated this topic in school last semester. I can assure the blaze readers that Calgary is not near as liberal as Vancouver with regards to this issue. Fact is, this was the implementation of the liberal government (in Vancouver, the NDP-socialist party) and now that the conservatives are in power we might see some of this crap being outlawed. MIght.
Report Post »tranymike
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:51pmwe already have one better methadoen clinics we don‘t need rubbers we got planed perent hood but don’t you think canada is going to get one on obama are crack pipes will come loaded all you’ll need is a light witch will get GM to make just for you.
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:20pmi want a $55,000 crack pipe & some rubbers!
Report Post »godhatesacoward
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:21pmI know, let me have it!
Report Post »johnannegalt
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:33pm…This is no worse than the ridiculous ‘free cell phone’ thing in America- “we have the RIGHT to free cell phones!!” Holy cow, this entire population of self-entitlement thugs makes me scared to ever have children.
Report Post »michaelhuggins2
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:55pmThe Blaze made a mistake in the cost. It isn’t 50,000-60,000 per kit, it’s 50,000-60,000 dollars worth of kits. One kit doesn’t cost 55,000 grand.
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Vancouver+Coastal+Health+hand+worth+crack+pipes/5189497/story.html
Report Post »Doubleo
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:16pmPerfect… Who better to help you with your drug habit than the government ! I wonder if they could help me find a nice hooka ? Of course I shouldn’t have to pay for it…
Report Post »tankyjo
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:14pmComing soon to a banana republic near you, courtesy Buffoon Hussein Obama,m m m.
Report Post »Affirmative Blaction
Posted on August 4, 2011 at 11:22pmyou know if you just let them contract these illnesses they’ll probably die, crack problem solved. comon people its natural selection,we learned this in grade school.
Report Post »chipmunk
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:06amm m m … yeah, remember that song?!! the 6th graders from a NJ public school. *another example of wasted tax dollars!) :)
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