What is your opinion on this?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8255418.stm

It seems like a sensible way forward to me....

 

Why not sell it in tobaconists?

Tax it and save the rise in VAT and petrol.

 

A surprising result?

If you gave me free petrol for my car, I'd definitely buy less petrol for my car.

Not knocking the concept at all, reducing crime, taking money away from pushers etc but ffs let's not pretend that people given free heroin, then go onto buy less heroin is an interesting finding.

 

and cigs

 

I tend to agree...

except for the tobaconists bit.

The aim has to be to take people off the drugs in a controlled manner. If it prevents crime on the streets it is a winner for me.

 

RE: I tend to agree...

Even if it was available to purchase legally, the smack heads would still have to go out robbing in order to buy it, so I don't see how that could make a difference.

 

I saw a programme on the same subject, they have these clinics in Holland. All the reports showed positive results - less drug related crime. Reduced fatalities as not cut street drugs. Usage brought under control so the addicts could lead a normal life, seek employment etc.

There are methodone programmes available widely in this country. At the Doctors surgery where i go they have substance misuse nurses on duty. I've seen some right states in there. I don't think the methodone clinics are controlled adequately enough in this country, as to some users methodone is currency to buy street drugs or they take the prescribed methodone alongside street heroin.

I do think it would be worth be worth giving it a try in this country as any success would slowly put the dealers out of business.

 

If its part of a detox plan then fine but there is part of me that is very uncomfortable with what amounts to state sponsored drug supply.

 

RE: I tend to agree...

Government funded in Holland so they don't have to pay for it. If they did have to pay for it if the programme was set up in this country i'm sure it would be alot cheaper than paying a dealer. They only stumbling point would be that they are only provided with enough to keep cold turkey from setting in. Some addicts wouldn't want this as they like to get completely off their heads on it.

 

Good point

I'd be interested in adding up the cost of providing free heroin and needles versus the reduction in spend associated with drug related crime. I've advocated de-criminalising and sanitizing hard drugs for a while. I've no figures to back it up, but I can see benefits in (a) stopping income streams to organised crime, (b) providing clean needles to addicts therefore reducing infections(especially hiv) (c) a better controlled / consistent product for users making drug use safer (batch inconsistency is a bigcontributer to users overdosing) and (d) the ability to easily council and educate addicts that regular contact allows.</p>

</p>

Of course what I really meant to say was all addicts are scum and should be locked up.</p>

 

Another Method!!!

In Pittsburgh in the states in 1998 , there was a father who was a policeman whos son died from Heroin overdose. Through his connections in the "underworld" he bought a large quantity of heroin and tainted it with Cyanide. subsequently around 54 addicts died and due to the publicity of tainted drugs on the streets the crime and drug abuse dropped by 28% over a one month period.
I think this is the sensible way forward to reduce drug crime, reduce drug sales , and get rid of the weak minded individuals who need "alien" substances to feel good

 

Do you drink or smoke? nt

 

Aye, mass murder is an excellent social cleanser

Hmm.

Getting back to the OP, I reckon it's an excellent idea. I can't see any real losers. The trouble would come if they suddenly withdrew the scheme. And I wouldn't put it past em. Isn't that similar to how the heroin problem started in the first place? Medical drugs being withdrawn forcing well heeled patients to go looking for alternative supply?

 

RE: Aye, mass murder is an excellent social cleanser

The principal idea seems ok, but i cant help feeling uneasy that if someone causes crime to feed their habit, whatever it may be, drugs, alcoholism etc, that the solution is to offer them their craving for free to stop them committing crime.</p>

It would reduce crime i agree, but it does not sit easy with me. I was alweya taught that if you do something wrong and get caught, expect to face the cosequences, not receive your pleasure for free.</p>

Perhaps we could extend this to free beer, be great in town before every match, every alcoholic in the town out for a free session.....druggies off their heads, the BNP having a bit of aggro near the market and a gay pride march to let us know how &quot;equal&quot; they are </p>

Nice family day out......</p>

 

Another positive is that if the addicts usage is controlled and it led to them seeking employment this would have a massive impact on social security claims.

A large percentage of Incapacity Benefit and Disibility Living Allowance claimants are drug abusers so the amount of claimers may be reduced significantly.

 

RE: Do you drink or smoke? nt

I dont smoke and probably have 10 units of alchahol a week... i think society in the next 10 to 15 years will become so bad that someone is goping to have to put a stop to anti social drug taking, im not for murder but something will have to be done to deter people

 

It depends what angle is taken on it

One news story focussed on how it cut crime - well if that's the main focus then it isn't a good idea - it's like saying if you give someone a TV they are less likely to steal a TV!
However, a more serious news report of the same issue focussed on how it helped to get people off heroin - in which case it's a good idea.

 

"socialism or barbarism" nt

 

Or re-educate.

I'm always a bit twitchy when I read pharses like 'weak minded individuals who need &quot;alien&quot; substances to feel good' from people who probably drink or smoke.</p>

I don'treally agree with your fear for society in 10 years time. I also think that programs such as those highlighted by the OP will be important contributors to thereduction of anti-social drug taking, with the emphasis on education rather than punishment. The fact that it's illegal obviously doesn't put off everybody.</p>

Anyway, I'm probably a politically correct, liberal namby pamby or something similar, so what do I know ;-)</p>

 

I think you're right

Certainly, throwing money at taking out the dealers and importers isn't working. Take a dealer out of the equation, create a market for somebody else. There's always somebody else willing to take on the risk. They don't have to be fanancially driven either. A mate of a mate* recently got busted for trying to smuggle huge amounts of cocaine into the country, embedded into ornate doors. He came from a privileged background. I think they do it for the challenge. To be the next George Jung.

So you have to focus on the addicts. The suggestion isn't rewarding crime. It's avoiding crime. And trying to make the difference. Trying to steer someone back onto the road. Giving someone a telly so they don't steal a telly isn't quite the same as giving someone a fix so they don't mug a pensioner. I think we'd all like to avoid that crime. A lot of addicts aren't evil people. Yes, I know one or two! But they're desperate people who aren't exactly thinking with a straight mind. They need all the help they can get and we as a society will be all the better for helping them.

*This guy... http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/feb/24/drugsandalcohol.drugstrade