VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- The Canadian city of Vancouver plans to hand out free crack pipes to drug users in the hopes of preventing the spread of disease.
It's a pilot program to distribute the clean, unused pipes to keep drug users from sharing them. Currently, mouth pieces are available for free, but not the pipes themselves. Officials hope it will reduce exposure to diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis.
The program will also help health care professionals to provide social services to people in need.
Critics argue the program fosters a culture of addiction.
According to CTV, free heroin needles are also already available around Vancouver at safe injection sites.
Free crack pipes are also available to addicts in Seattle from the People's Harm Reduction Alliance.
