Miss Vicky's Offhand Remarks

Dr.Dawg Jul 15, 2007 08:32 AM said:

And here's the Ottawa Sun, mirabile dictu:

[Webgeek changed in-comment url to a link]

[Edited By The Webgeek Jul 15, 2007 11:47 AM]

Dr.Dawg Jul 15, 2007 09:32 AM said:

And this from Kelly Egan today (wow)

[Webgeek changed in-comment url to a link]

[Edited By The Webgeek Jul 15, 2007 11:48 AM]

Dr.Dawg Jul 15, 2007 12:13 PM said:

Sorry about that, Webgeek. May I use html tags here? If so, I'll do so next time.

The Webgeek Jul 15, 2007 01:18 PM said:

N/P Dawg.
I have a Guide to Commenting should anyone else be interested in what's "available" to them in comments.

knitnut Jul 16, 2007 01:13 PM said:

That Kelly Egan article is a sizzler. Thanks for posting it Dawg.

liss76 Jul 16, 2007 09:57 PM said:

Also:

freecrackkits.org

[Edited By Miss Vicky Jul 16, 2007 10:23 PM]

Miss Vicky Jul 16, 2007 10:23 PM said:

linkified!

amckay Jul 17, 2007 08:14 PM said:

For me this is a tough call. I realise that studies show harm reduction in giving out crack pipes. But I've also heard reports of dealers being given entire boxes of crack pipes, and then loading them all up with a hit and being able to sell the hit for an extra 2 bucks because it comes with a pipe! WTF? If the city knows who the dealers are then get the friggin cops in there and arrest the SOBs! That's even better harm reduction!

Miss Vicky Jul 17, 2007 10:29 PM said:

yeah I heard a version of the story too, from a police officer. A "just between you and me" kind of story that makes me doubt its veracity. In the version I heard, the pipes were found in a bust in Montreal. The police were working pretty hard to undermine the program to the public, so I took it with a grain of salt. And you should too - do you really think users would pay 5 bucks for 3 bucks worth of crack and a safe pipe????? When they can get a free pipe from the SITE van? Give me a break.

The pipes were only distributed to individuals and agencies, according to the policy.

I should not have to repeat that harm reduction is just one pillar of four needed for a successful municipal approach to fight illicit drug use and addiction.

[Edited By Miss Vicky Jul 17, 2007 10:30 PM]

The Webgeek Jul 18, 2007 11:13 AM said:

Still more from the Sun.

The gist: Political health decisions should not be left solely to the whims of city council. Health services needs an independent review board, similar to the ones the library and police have. Killing the crack pipe program saved the city $8000 but cost Ontario taxpayers $10 million in the long run.

[Edited By The Webgeek Jul 18, 2007 11:14 AM]

JMG Jul 19, 2007 10:07 AM said:

The city of Ottawa's drug control strategy.

[Edited By JMG Jul 19, 2007 10:15 AM]

liss76 Jul 24, 2007 07:41 AM said:

A citizen rebuttal to the inference that city crackpipes were being sold, pre-loaded, by dealers:

http://www.canada.com/ottawaci tizen/news/city/story.html?id= cb912ea8-c3bb-4c26-9e2e-e5bc17 f960af

[linkified - WG]

[Edited By The Webgeek Jul 24, 2007 11:30 AM]

Miss Vicky Jul 24, 2007 09:19 AM said:

damn, you're on the ball, Liss! I was going to post that today

I might, still.

liss76 Jul 24, 2007 04:20 PM said:

:D

Oh Vicky, how polite you are! I'm not on the ball--I'm attached at the hip to my computer. Two very different things! ;)

freecrackkits Jul 25, 2007 12:50 PM said:

Dear Miss. Vicky,

Thank you for your to supportive comments.

http://freecrackkits.org has so far (in one week) raised a total of $820.00 towards this critical Public Health initiative. Please come out to the Community Forum tomorrow, this affects Your Community!

I encourage your readers to take a moment to visit the site and donate. In an effort to maintain transparency and accountability all donations are received and tax deductible receipts are issued by the:

AIDS Committee of Ottawa.
251 Bank Street,Suite 700
Ottawa, ON K2P 1X3

Please dedicate your donation as: For Funding the Safer Inhalation Program

ACO also accepts electronic donations through their CanadaHalps.Org Donations Portal at: http://www.aco-cso.ca/donate.h tm

(CanadaHelps.Org charges a 3% service fee. If you read about them, their worth it!)

100% of all "dedicated" donations are used directly for the funding of the program.

AIDS Committee of Ottawa is a registered Canadian Charity.

Thank You for your Support!
Rob McLeod, Volunteer Administrator
vadmin@freecrackkits.org

"Donate Now and Save One Life at a Time"

Jay Fitzsimmons Sep 24, 2007 04:41 PM said:

Thanks, Vicky, for bringing up the important issue of the Safer Inhalation Program. I'd like to point out that the Green Party has been a vocal advocate of this program, and other harm reduction programs like it.

See our press release on the subject:
www.ottawagreens.ca/ottawacent re/?p=195

And read our full policy on the matter:
www.ottawagreens.ca/ottawacent re/?p=181

[Edited By Jay Fitzsimmons Sep 24, 2007 04:43 PM]