Pubdate: Tue, 18 Oct 2005
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Sue-Ann Levy
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG DEALERS ARE LAUGHING

Taxpayer-Funded Crack Kits End Up Next To Playground

Two weeks ago, Ann McKenny and Anne Clune stumbled upon a cache of 
used needles and "safer crack kit" paraphernalia -- left mere steps 
from the children's playground in the Sumach-Shuter park.

The two Cabbagetown residents were appalled, not just at the 
discovery hypodermic syringes, crack pipes, matches, alcohol pads and 
matches "lying loose" in the grass, but at the city of Toronto and 
Toronto public health logos emblazoned on many of the items.

They even found a pamphlet from The Works (a public health needle 
exchange program) which suggests people (drug users, one supposes) 
call 416-392-0250 with any questions.

McKenny said she reported their find to the police and the city's 
parks department. She has yet to receive a response from either.

As she pointed out to me yesterday, the "very active" children's 
playground is also kitty-corner to Nelson Mandela Elementary School 
and a community arena.

"I was most concerned because this is a park that's well-used 
particularly by small kids ... who have no idea how dangerous these 
things are," McKenny said.

When she heard Coun. Kyle Rae and public health officials launch 
their $300,000 Toronto drug strategy this past Friday, she could 
hardly believe her ears.

The strategy's 66 recommendations propose -- among other things -- 
that the city broaden its "innovative" harm-reduction strategies (the 
report's words, not mine), including the distribution of crack use kits.

"Harm-reduction" sites and services encourage illegal drug users and 
alcoholic street people to continue to ingest their poisons using 
clean equipment in a safe environment. The theory is that it will 
eventually lead to fewer overdoses and less open use of drugs on the street.

The report suggests harm-reduction services be expanded throughout 
the city, that more hourly glasses of wine be served to alcoholics in 
more shelters besides Seaton House, and that Toronto's Affordable 
Housing office consider creating harm-reduction housing (with our tax 
dollars, yet!)

A "top priority" is to study the need for controversial 
safe-injection sites (renamed "safe consumption" sites in this 
report) modelled on those in Vancouver and Amsterdam.

"So many of the things that have come out of City Hall in the past 
few years, I can hardly believe I'm living in a civilized country," 
said McKenny.

I agree. It's not just the leftist obsession with touchy-feely 
harm-reduction programs, which are as yet unproven. But this report 
seems to suggest, at least to me, that City Hall sanctions the use of 
illegal drugs.

At Friday's launch, Rae insisted their goal was not to stop people 
using drugs. "It's just not going to happen," he said.

'Killing, Not Saving'

Yet medical officer of health Dr. David McKeown conceded the 
"evidence was not there yet" to prove things like crack kits actually 
prevent disease.

After viewing the dirty drug paraphernalia found in the playground, I 
have to question whether city officials are more concerned about 
"harm reduction" for drug users than they are for innocent schoolchildren.

McKenny calls giving public funds to enable drug use "one of the most 
horrific things" she's heard of. "Public money is going towards 
killing rather than saving people," she said.

If drug deals are behind much of the gunplay of recent months, won't 
more crack kits and injection sites just exacerbate the violence?

Cabbagetown resident Joice Guspie reminded me that the drugs still 
need to be supplied for the kits and "well-organized" drug dealers 
know where the kits are being handed out.

"They're absolutely laughing at the fools at City Hall," said Guspie, 
the mother of a 14-year-old daughter, adding she fears Rae will try 
to push an injection site on their neighbourhood.

"What a sad message to send out to our children ... that now you can 
have a safe, warm, cozy place to do your crack," she said. "And the 
people who run this city don't feel they can help you with treatment."
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman