By By Darren Weir Aug 14, 2012 in World Vancouver - A new study by young drug users in Vancouver has found that they can get their fix in about 10-minutes, and we're not just talking about marijuana. Everything from heroin to crack to crystal meth is available for those who want it. The study released today, questioned two groups of drug users in 2007 between the ages of 14 and 26. They were asked: “How difficult would it be for you to get drugs right now in the area you typically obtain your drugs?” They then focused on those who answered they could get drugs in ten minutes and found that it wasn't just for marijuana, but for hard drugs as well. Senior author of the study, Dr. Evan Wood, tells Wood says he thinks most Canadians are totally unaware of the availability of illicit drugs. But Vancouver police spokesman Const. Lindsey Houghton wasn't shocked. In an email to Wood says the fact that it's so easy to get drugs means that the country's drug policies are not working and he says Houghton's comments show police know this. "While the police are aware, I think your average Canadian is totally unaware of the fact that our streets are so awash in drugs." And he says all the money that is now being spent on putting drug users in prison and trying to cut off the supply of drugs, would be better spent on rehab programs and community outreach. CTV News says a study done by the B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS has found that despite the so-called War on Drugs for the past 40-years, at-risk youth are still able to get a hold of their drug of choice, easily.The study released today, questioned two groups of drug users in 2007 between the ages of 14 and 26. They were asked: “How difficult would it be for you to get drugs right now in the area you typically obtain your drugs?” They then focused on those who answered they could get drugs in ten minutes and found that it wasn't just for marijuana, but for hard drugs as well.Senior author of the study, Dr. Evan Wood, tells CTV News , "That's, I think, the most surprising thing." "I'm in the office right now. It would probably take me more than ten minutes to go and be able to buy a bottle of wine."Wood says he thinks most Canadians are totally unaware of the availability of illicit drugs. But Vancouver police spokesman Const. Lindsey Houghton wasn't shocked. In an email to CTV , he wrote, "I don't think it is a surprise to anyone that if someone is motivated enough and has the knowledge on how to obtain illegal drugs, they could probably do it fairly quickly." "I'm sure if the study was done 5, 10, or 15 years ago the numbers wouldn't have been much different."Wood says the fact that it's so easy to get drugs means that the country's drug policies are not working and he says Houghton's comments show police know this. "While the police are aware, I think your average Canadian is totally unaware of the fact that our streets are so awash in drugs."And he says all the money that is now being spent on putting drug users in prison and trying to cut off the supply of drugs, would be better spent on rehab programs and community outreach. The Toronto Star reports that former Vancouver cop Walter McKay agrees, saying if prisons can’t keep drugs out of those closely-guarded environments, then it is unrealistic to think police can keep it off the streets. More about Vancouver, Hard drugs, Alcohol, Booze More news from Vancouver Hard drugs Alcohol Booze