Vancouver finds novel way to reduce HIV: free crack pipes

[Playinghardball]

Source: Raw Story

Determined to halt the spread of diseases in their community, one Canadian neighborhood has adopted a controversial yet effective mitigation program: giving out free crack pipes.

According to The Daily Mail, the Vancouver Coastal Health Harm Reduction organization has created a $60,000 “harm reduction program” aimed at at lowering HIV and Hepatitis B and C infection rates in the city’s downtown area.

Heat-resistant and shatterproof glass pipes have been available for free since December, along with sanitation kits that include mouthpieces, filters, alcohol swabs and metal screens. Experts say these items help reduce injury to the user’s mouth, preventing the transmission of some diseases if the drugs are being shared with others.

In addition to improving the health of crack users, a 2007 study by the International Journal of Drug Policy found that a free crack pipe exchange in Ottawa actually lowered the number of people who were injecting drugs with hypodermic needles — an important driver of HIV transmission.


More at: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/01/02/vancouver-finds-novel-way-to-reduce-hiv-free-crack-pipes/

[lacrew]

1. I'm Confused

HIV is transmitted by a pipe? Isn't that about the same as sharing silverware?

[arcane1]

2. Per the article:

"Heat-resistant and shatterproof glass pipes have been available for free since December, along with sanitation kits that include mouthpieces, filters, alcohol swabs and metal screens. Experts say these items help reduce injury to the user’s mouth, preventing the transmission of some diseases if the drugs are being shared with others. "

[quakerboy]

4. Dual improvement by what I read in this article

1)free crack pipes = less people injecting
2)free well made crack pipes=less oral injury to users, resulting in lower likelyhood of transmission.

I have a hard time believing oral injury is a major vector, but its not something I could speak to with any education. I can see the possibility of transmission that way. User1 has HIV and a cut on their lip from a broken pipe. User2 was HIV free, but has a burn on the inside of his cheek from pulling in some too hot spec of something as they used last week. They share a pipe, and there is at least potential of transmission, I would think.

[pinto]

3. Harm reduction is a viable component of a broad public health approach.

Programs focused on harm reduction "meet those at risk where they're at".

Not sure on the connection between crack pipes and HIV, HCV infections. Assume it's based on bleeding from the heat of a pipe and the risk that poses. HCV would be a big one in that scenario - it's a much more infective virus than HIV.

(disclaimer note) I work with a syringe exchange program.

[JBoy]

5. Vancouver also has safe injection sites

Had to fight the Harper government to keep them open.