Faustian Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 This looks interesting...I wonder if we'll see moves afoot to prescribe for other drugs too? I doubt it, I also doubt if it lead to any further sensible policies. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8255418.stm Heroin supply clinic 'cuts crime' By Danny Shaw BBC home affairs correspondent A scheme in which heroin is given to addicts in supervised clinics has led to big reductions in the use of street drugs and crime, the BBC has learned. More than 100 users took part in the pilot - part funded by the government - in London, Brighton and Darlington. They either injected heroin or received the drug's substitute methadone. Those given heroin responded best and an independent panel which monitored the scheme over six months are advising ministers to set up further trials. About three-quarters of those given heroin were said to have "substantially" reduced their use of street drugs. Research suggests that between half and two-thirds of all crime in the UK is drug-related. The Home Office says on its website that about three-quarters of crack and heroin users claim they commit crime to feed their habits. [color:red]PILOT SCHEME FINDINGS Three-quarters reduced use of street heroin Offences down from 1,731 in 30 days to 547 in six months Spending on drugs down from £300 to £50 a week Figures for group given heroin[/color] Professor John Strang, who led the project, said the results were "very positive" because the scheme had helped cut crime and avoid "expensive" prison sentences. Professor Strang, who is based at the National Addiction Centre, part of King's Health Partners, said the individuals on the programme were among those who had been the hardest to treat. "It's as if each of them is an oil tanker heading for disaster and so the purpose of this trial is to see: 'Can you turn them around? Is it possible to avert disaster?' "And the surprising finding - which is good for the individuals and good for society as well - is that you can," he said. The Randomised Injecting Opioid Treatment Trial (RIOTT) programme - which is funded by a number of agencies, including the Department of Health - began in 2005. It involved 127 chronic heroin addicts for whom conventional types of treatment had failed. Many of the addicts were also using other substances, including crack cocaine. During the trials, a third of addicts were given the heroin substitute methadone orally and another third injected methadone under supervision. The remainder, observed by nurses, injected themselves with diamorphine - unadulterated heroin - imported from Switzerland. National roll-out? Those on the programme were also given psychological support and help with their housing and social needs. The results showed that addicts in all three groups cut the amount of heroin they obtained illicitly from street dealers. According to researchers, more than half of the heroin injecting group were said to be "largely abstinent" and one-in-five did not use street heroin at all. Before they began the programme, the addicts in the heroin injecting group were spending more than £300 a week on street drugs. After six months, this had reduced to an average of £50 a week. There was also a big drop in the number of offences addicts admitted committing to obtain money to feed their habit. In the previous month before the scheme started, addicts in the heroin injecting group reported carrying out 1,731 crimes. After six months, this had fallen to 547 offences - a reduction of more than two-thirds. One of the heroin addicts on the programme, a 34-year-old man called John, had been addicted for eight years when the trials began. He fed his habit by dealing. "My life was just a shambles... waking up, chasing money, chasing drugs," he said. But John said the scheme had transformed his life "100 per cent" and he now had a part-time job. "It used to be about chasing the buzz, but when you go on the programme you just want to feel comfortable," he said. "I've started reducing my dose gradually, so that maybe in a few months time I'll be able to come off it altogether, drug free totally." In its drug strategy, published last year, the government said it would "roll out" the prescription of injectible heroin, subject to the findings of the pilot scheme. The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), which administers drug treatment in England, said the results were "encouraging". The NTA said an independent expert group, set up to advise the government, had concluded that there was enough "positive evidence of the benefits" of the programme to merit further pilots. The NTA is understood to be keen to evaluate the financial implications of the scheme. At £15,000 per user per year, supervised heroin injecting is three times more expensive than other treatments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 £15,000 per user per year? It would be much cheaper and more effective to give them a one off lethal injection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 If you gave everyone lots of free money, it would probably reduce robberies too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 In the UK there is a widespread notion that when the government does something for you, it is free. Amazingly, people don't seem to understand the link between spending and taxation. These programs that benefit scumbags cost money to decent working people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faustian Posted September 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 £15,000 per user per year? It would be much cheaper and more effective to give them a one off lethal injection. But that would be illegal...! However, the government procuring illicit drugs and giving them to addicts is ummm, errrr... Nevermind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 Back in the 1890's, heroin was given to opium users in hope of being the drug that would 'free' them from opium addiction. Legalize drugs. Crime is reduced while reducing taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bust Posted September 15, 2009 Report Share Posted September 15, 2009 They call it harm minimalization. I for one support it as long as it is controlled like the methadone program. What is sometimes for of a problem is the greedy mits that find their way into capitalizing on it. Have had the argument before that heroin users are less harmful than drunks...they just do desperate things to pay for their drug of choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 A desperate addict will burgle homes to pay for heroin. In this scheme the government takes money from the tax payer to pay for the addict's heroin. Either way innocent people pay for the addict to get high. Doesn't seem like harm is being minimized at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bust Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 Doesn't seem like harm is being minimized at all. Of course it doesn't when you live life with blinkers on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpiceMan Posted September 16, 2009 Report Share Posted September 16, 2009 Addict steals £15,000 worth of stuff per year to pay for his heroin. Or government steals £15,000 per year in taxes to pay for addict's heroin. Same same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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