Harm reduction programs sound responsible until you check the evidence. You're walking past the playground near your house and there's broken glass on the ground. Could be a beer bottle. Could be a crack pipe. Your tax dollars paid for both possibilities: the distribution and the cleanup. Between 2021 and 2025, Toronto procured 2.3 million meth pipes and 3.5 million crack pipes. When pressed for the evidence base, the city provided four studies. One study interviewed four hospital receptionists about their impressions. That's not science.

Of the three remaining studies, only one suggested free pipes might reduce sharing. The evidence? Thirty-one drug users in Victoria said in 2010 that free pipes might make them share less. Sixteen years ago. Thirty-one people. Millions of pipes. But here's the contradiction nobody talks about: a 2011 Vancouver study with similar sample size found users saying the opposite, that sharing pipes is essential to the social experience of smoking crack. The city calls this evidence-based while ignoring the evidence that contradicts them.

Next time you see drug debris near a library or school, remember: you paid to distribute it, and you'll pay again to clean it up. The program isn't based on science. It's based on what active addicts said they wanted sixteen years ago.

Topics: harm reduction programs, crack pipe distribution, evidence-based policy, taxpayer funding, drug paraphernalia cleanup

GUEST: Adam Zivo | adamzivo.com

RUNDOWN: Investigative journalist Adam Zivo exposes Toronto's procurement of 5.8 million crack and meth pipes justified by a single 2010 study interviewing 31 drug users, revealing how harm reduction programs ignore contradictory evidence while flooding communities with publicly-funded paraphernalia.

Harm reduction programs sound responsible until you check the evidence. You're walking past the playground near your house and there's broken glass on the ground. Could be a beer bottle. Could be a crack pipe. Your tax dollars paid for both possibilities: the distribution and the cleanup. Between 2021 and 2025, Toronto procured 2.3 million meth pipes and 3.5 million crack pipes. When pressed for the evidence base, the city provided four studies. One study interviewed four hospital receptionists about their impressions. That's not science.
Of the three remaining studies, only one suggested free pipes might reduce sharing. The evidence? Thirty-one drug users in Victoria said in 2010 that free pipes might make them share less. Sixteen years ago. Thirty-one people. Millions of pipes. But here's the contradiction nobody talks about: a 2011 Vancouver study with similar sample size found users saying the opposite, that sharing pipes is essential to the social experience of smoking crack. The city calls this evidence-based while ignoring the evidence that contradicts them.
Next time you see drug debris near a library or school, remember: you paid to distribute it, and you'll pay again to clean it up. The program isn't based on science. It's based on what active addicts said they wanted sixteen years ago.
Topics: harm reduction programs, crack pipe distribution, evidence-based policy, taxpayer funding, drug paraphernalia cleanup
GUEST: Adam Zivo | <a href="http://adamzivo.com" data-prosemirror-content-type="mark" data-prosemirror-mark-name="link">adamzivo.com</a>
RUNDOWN: Investigative journalist Adam Zivo exposes Toronto's procurement of 5.8 million crack and meth pipes justified by a single 2010 study interviewing 31 drug users, revealing how harm reduction programs ignore contradictory evidence while flooding communities with publicly-funded paraphernalia.

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.