Officials in Vancouver, British Columbia have stopped handing out free crack-pipe components to addicts as part of an HIV prevention campaign, the CanWest News Service reported June 21.

"Safer crack kits" that included mouthpieces and screens to make crack pipes were handed out as part of a harm-reduction project by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA). The aim was to prevent the spread of diseases like HIV, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis.

The project caused alarm among some local lawmakers and residents, and VIHA head Howard Waldner said that his agency could have done a better job explaining the purpose of the handout. "It's paused, and we'll take another look at this in due course," he said. About 200 of the kits were distributed.