Pubdate: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Bob Holmes DO THE MATH: PIPES COST LESS Giving out free crack pipes is not an emotional issue. It's just a simple math problem. HIV and hepatitis C spread on broken pipes. If a person contracts these illnesses, it costs society $150,000 per year per case, or $2 per pipe. Most people will quit crack, but HIV and hep C are forever. Yes, life is not fair, and you don't have to like it, but I'm for cheap. Hand out the pipes and needles. You never know: The kid that doesn't get sick might be your own. Bob Holmes, Port Hardy. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom