Crack cocaine and crystal methamphetamine have emerged as Vancouver's drugs of choice, according to a report released yesterday.
Drug Situation in Vancouver, a report prepared over a 10-year period, found about 90 per cent of the 2,000 surveyed injection-drug users and less than 70 per cent of street kids can score crack in 10 minutes or less.
"It's not just Vancouver where crack has exploded," said study co-author Dr. Evan Wood. "It's a national phenomenon and it's a huge, huge problem."
A hit of crack or crystal meth remains at $10 since 2005.
On the other hand, cocaine use among adult injection drug users dropped to 8.5 per cent in 2007 from 38.1 per cent in 1996.
The rampant availability of drugs had Wood questioning the level of support and funding law enforcement receives over treatment and prevention programs.
"The failure of police to reduce the supply of drugs is not on the Vancouver Police Department," Wood said. "They'll never be able to reduce the flow of drugs."
