Canadian researchers say that drug users face the risk of contracting the Hepatitis C virus if they share crack pipes with other users, Psysorg.com reported Dec. 12.

Researchers studied 51 crack users in Toronto, collecting crack pipes shortly after use and testing both the users and pipes for Hepatitis C. Twenty-two users tested positive for the disease, and one of the crack pipes tested positive for Hepatitis C (HCV) antibodies.

"This study provides a potentially important piece of evidence towards explaining whether oral crack users can pass on HCV by way of risky crack-use methods," said study leader Benedikt Fischer, director of the Illicit Drugs, Public Health and Policy Unit at the University of Victoria's Center for Addictions Research. "Our research affirms this risk, and calls both for systematic additional research and an emphasis on expanded HCV prevention measures targeting crack users."

Researchers noted that crack users are at especially high risk of contracting Hepatitis C because they tend to have preexisting health problems as well as burns and sores around their mouth that can facilitate the transmission of the disease.