What is being done to help crack cocaine (and all other drug) addicts in Ottawa? 


The Somerset Street West Community Health Centre and the City of Ottawa's health department (not the same as Ottawa Public Health*) both operate a program called the 'Needle Exchange Safe Inhalation program', where two vans drive through Ottawa streets every night to distribute clean needles (for those who inject crack cocaine and/or other drugs) and other free items including condoms, in exchange for used needles. People who operate these vans often found saying to other that 'everyone matters'. 

Additionally, the Oasis clinic and harm reduction centre at the Sandy Hill Community Centre hands out free, clean needles, condoms, pipes, mesh filters (holds the crack cocaine to burn), clean water and vitamin C.  


If your going to use crack cocaine, as least do it safely ....right? 


 Crack cocaine (and other drug) addicts without any violence on their criminal record, that have a criminal charge related to a drug addiction (i.e. stealing) are eligible to apply for treatment through the Ottawa Drug Treatment Court (associated with Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services). The program runs over the span of year, where participants go through counselling and are required to appear in Court twice a week. Upon the successful completion of this program, participants are given a sentence other than jail time to serve for the criminal charge related to their drug addiction. 


Another option is the Ontario Works Addiction Program (associated with Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services and the City of Ottawa). The general idea behind this out-patient program is individual and group counselling as well as education sessions, over a period of time.


There are number of other drug rehab centres within Ontario to help crack cocaine addicts deal with their addiction. As mentioned before, as of yet, there is no pharmacological treatment (i.e. no drug) that can be taken to treat cocaine addiction. That being said, it is a hot topic in scientific research. 


*Ottawa Public Health does not distribute kits for making crack pipes since the city's council voted against the crack pipe program in 2007. Many counselor's, at the time, believed that distributing these kits only encourages crack cocaine addicts to continue using the drug.