Free Crack Mouthpieces on the Way

[Guest guest]

CDC 01/04/08

CANADA: " Free Crack Mouthpieces on the Way "

Vancouver Province (01.03.08):: Kate Webb

As early as April, British Columbia's Ministry of Health will allocate funds to

buy sterile surgical tubing to help prevent crack-cocaine smokers from

transmitting diseases while sharing pipes.

" People who smoke crack often burn their lips and have sores on their lips, and

that sore can have blood in it, " said Dr. Kendall, chief medical officer

for the province. " A well-run [mouthpiece] program offers a lot of promise to

reduce blood-borne diseases and to introduce people to health care and addiction

services. "

The decision, made by the Provincial Harm Reduction Committee, followed the Dec.

12 release of a report showing hepatitis C on an infected user's crack pipe

stem. Kendall said crack pipe smokers also risk acquiring HIV, TB, and syphilis

from sharing contaminated stems.

The two- to five-centimeter pieces of rubber tubing, which can be attached on

the end of the pipe stem, will be available through the province's five health

authorities. The province also distributes free syringes, alcohol swabs, and

water vials to prevent infections among drug users.

In the Center for Addictions Research B.C. study, researchers found 22 of 51

Toronto crack smokers tested positive for hepatitis C. In addition, " They

recovered the viruses from a crack pipe, so it clearly can be a method of

transmission, " Kendall said. He estimated hepatitis C infection costs the

province $71 million-$143 million (US $70.9 million-$142.9 million) per year,

while a piece of rubber tubing costs less than a penny.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Authority said it will participate in the

pipe stem program. A spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health, Viviana Zanocco,

said the Lower Mainland would also likely place orders.

_________________________________________________________________

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[Guest guest]

CDC 01/04/08

CANADA: " Free Crack Mouthpieces on the Way "

Vancouver Province (01.03.08):: Kate Webb

As early as April, British Columbia's Ministry of Health will allocate funds to

buy sterile surgical tubing to help prevent crack-cocaine smokers from

transmitting diseases while sharing pipes.

" People who smoke crack often burn their lips and have sores on their lips, and

that sore can have blood in it, " said Dr. Kendall, chief medical officer

for the province. " A well-run [mouthpiece] program offers a lot of promise to

reduce blood-borne diseases and to introduce people to health care and addiction

services. "

The decision, made by the Provincial Harm Reduction Committee, followed the Dec.

12 release of a report showing hepatitis C on an infected user's crack pipe

stem. Kendall said crack pipe smokers also risk acquiring HIV, TB, and syphilis

from sharing contaminated stems.

The two- to five-centimeter pieces of rubber tubing, which can be attached on

the end of the pipe stem, will be available through the province's five health

authorities. The province also distributes free syringes, alcohol swabs, and

water vials to prevent infections among drug users.

In the Center for Addictions Research B.C. study, researchers found 22 of 51

Toronto crack smokers tested positive for hepatitis C. In addition, " They

recovered the viruses from a crack pipe, so it clearly can be a method of

transmission, " Kendall said. He estimated hepatitis C infection costs the

province $71 million-$143 million (US $70.9 million-$142.9 million) per year,

while a piece of rubber tubing costs less than a penny.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Authority said it will participate in the

pipe stem program. A spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health, Viviana Zanocco,

said the Lower Mainland would also likely place orders.

_________________________________________________________________

Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.

http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008

[Guest guest]

CDC 01/04/08

CANADA: " Free Crack Mouthpieces on the Way "

Vancouver Province (01.03.08):: Kate Webb

As early as April, British Columbia's Ministry of Health will allocate funds to

buy sterile surgical tubing to help prevent crack-cocaine smokers from

transmitting diseases while sharing pipes.

" People who smoke crack often burn their lips and have sores on their lips, and

that sore can have blood in it, " said Dr. Kendall, chief medical officer

for the province. " A well-run [mouthpiece] program offers a lot of promise to

reduce blood-borne diseases and to introduce people to health care and addiction

services. "

The decision, made by the Provincial Harm Reduction Committee, followed the Dec.

12 release of a report showing hepatitis C on an infected user's crack pipe

stem. Kendall said crack pipe smokers also risk acquiring HIV, TB, and syphilis

from sharing contaminated stems.

The two- to five-centimeter pieces of rubber tubing, which can be attached on

the end of the pipe stem, will be available through the province's five health

authorities. The province also distributes free syringes, alcohol swabs, and

water vials to prevent infections among drug users.

In the Center for Addictions Research B.C. study, researchers found 22 of 51

Toronto crack smokers tested positive for hepatitis C. In addition, " They

recovered the viruses from a crack pipe, so it clearly can be a method of

transmission, " Kendall said. He estimated hepatitis C infection costs the

province $71 million-$143 million (US $70.9 million-$142.9 million) per year,

while a piece of rubber tubing costs less than a penny.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Authority said it will participate in the

pipe stem program. A spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health, Viviana Zanocco,

said the Lower Mainland would also likely place orders.

_________________________________________________________________

Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.

http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008

[Guest guest]

CDC 01/04/08

CANADA: " Free Crack Mouthpieces on the Way "

Vancouver Province (01.03.08):: Kate Webb

As early as April, British Columbia's Ministry of Health will allocate funds to

buy sterile surgical tubing to help prevent crack-cocaine smokers from

transmitting diseases while sharing pipes.

" People who smoke crack often burn their lips and have sores on their lips, and

that sore can have blood in it, " said Dr. Kendall, chief medical officer

for the province. " A well-run [mouthpiece] program offers a lot of promise to

reduce blood-borne diseases and to introduce people to health care and addiction

services. "

The decision, made by the Provincial Harm Reduction Committee, followed the Dec.

12 release of a report showing hepatitis C on an infected user's crack pipe

stem. Kendall said crack pipe smokers also risk acquiring HIV, TB, and syphilis

from sharing contaminated stems.

The two- to five-centimeter pieces of rubber tubing, which can be attached on

the end of the pipe stem, will be available through the province's five health

authorities. The province also distributes free syringes, alcohol swabs, and

water vials to prevent infections among drug users.

In the Center for Addictions Research B.C. study, researchers found 22 of 51

Toronto crack smokers tested positive for hepatitis C. In addition, " They

recovered the viruses from a crack pipe, so it clearly can be a method of

transmission, " Kendall said. He estimated hepatitis C infection costs the

province $71 million-$143 million (US $70.9 million-$142.9 million) per year,

while a piece of rubber tubing costs less than a penny.

On Wednesday, the Vancouver Island Authority said it will participate in the

pipe stem program. A spokesperson for Vancouver Coastal Health, Viviana Zanocco,

said the Lower Mainland would also likely place orders.

_________________________________________________________________

Share life as it happens with the new Windows Live.

http://www.windowslive.com/share.html?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_Wave2_sharelife_012008