Heroin used instead of Methadone: does it work?

[Leah5190]

How does everyone feel on the government scheme where they give heroin users a 'safe place' to take drugs.. and giving them the drugs to use... do u feel its a good way of reducing crime , or a waste of tax payers hard earned cash??? ......

[shan]

It would be the most foolish decision ever.

Government already spends so much of the taxpayers money in many ways to support people wanting to get off the banned drugs (not that I have seen anyone really coming off)

This scheme will encourage youngsters to do drugs than getting off it, as it will then be legal and people know where to get free dough

As for the crimes, how do you expect they will be controlled just by supplying people with heroin Infact, this would lead to increase in crime rates and street fights given the effects of some drugs and the behaviour of the addicts.

Best way would be to follow stringent rules that are in place in some of the Arab Countries. But then, that won't be possible in this so called world's largest democracy where people's rights come before any thing else.

Just leave them at what they are doing and try to curb illicit drug trafficking, and as a Pharmacist do your best in advicing about the ill effects of the drugs and enjoy the cash you get in dispensing the metadone

Shan

[hibernia]

The war on illegal drugs is doomed to failure because where there is a demand there will always be somebody to meet it.

These sort of ideas, like the supply of methadone, are designed to reduce the demand and sound good in theory but we know they don't have the desired effect in practice. If demand drops, price drops and even more people end up trying the drugs and getting hooked. It is the law of unintended effect and I would be afraid that we would end up with unintended and unforeseen consequences of these "clean rooms".

What people need are not alternative places to shoot up but alternatives to their whole lifestyle and that would be a lot harder to provide.

[johnep]

We could follow the example of Singapore etc. Would certainly reduce the number of addicts.
johnep

[DavidS]

As for the crimes, how do you expect they will be controlled just by supplying people with heroin Infact, this would lead to increase in crime rates and street fights given the effects of some drugs and the behaviour of the addicts.

Not what the research indicated when this was actually tried. I was involved on the fringes of this, and can vouch for its success.

revolution: liverpool clinic

There is plenty of other stuff published, and books written, about this strategy. This google search "john marks" widnes heroin addiction - Google Search found a lot of it.

Here is a quote from one of those artlcles by John Marks himself:

We ran a clinic in Widnes, UK, which effectively produced the same results as the Rolleston policy in England between the 1920s and 1960s ie elimination of drug-motivated acquisitive crime, zero deaths, zero HIV infection and a dramatic preventive effect by eliminating the black market. The removal of peddling to fund illicit drug use is the cause for the 92% fall in the incidence of drug misuse. this replicates Rolleston and, on the basis of this, Rolleston clinics like this were set up in Liverpool and other Merseyside districts. By contrast, a policy of prohibition stimulates drug mis-use and related crime and illness.

This paradoxical effect arises because to control the consumption of any commodity the state must control the supply of that commodity and regulate it appropriately. If the regulation is too lax, as now with alcohol, consumption is promoted. If the regulation is too tight, as now with opiates and other drugs, consumption is increased through peddling.

It makes shocking reading.

[vanquish s]

I agree john, shot anyone carrying over a certain amount of drugs, chop the hands of thiefs and imasculate any sexual predators or rapists. People complain they have human rights, yep well how about their victims. If they are stupid/cruel enough to commit a crime then they only have themselves to blaim for what happens.

[johnep]

Could come here when we have sharia law in charge.
johnep

[Leah5190]

Surely there should be some sort of time limit where they addicts should be off by? i know of people who have been on heroin substitutes for longer than ive been been on the planet doesnt this seem like they are 'taking the piss/' out of the system surely, they must be able to get off it within 5 years or maybe 10 but 20! and of course they havent worked an honest hour in their lives so guess who pays for it? we do... As for 'safe housing' well.. doesn't this sort of encourage them? giving them somewhere to do it??

[DavidS]

Not what the research indicated when this was actually tried. I was involved on the fringes of this, and can vouch for its success.

revolution: liverpool clinic

There is plenty of other stuff published, and books written, about this strategy. This google search "john marks" widnes heroin addiction - Google Search found a lot of it.



It makes shocking reading.

Excuse me, did anyone notice my post? Real world, please?

[johannes]

@DavidS
Realised it just now.
@Leah5190
The scheme seems to open a practical and viable way handling the problem and related effects like crime etc.
It might come the tax payer much cheaper than sticking by the current situation.
Metha substitution progams aren't any fun.

For extreme cases of addiction such programes are now legalised here.
We'll see about that.