HEROIN AND THE LAW

Rather than make ridiculous suggestions that the Star-Telegram
"promotes heroin use," the writer of the Jan. 8 letter " 'Accidental
overdose'?" would probably do all of your readers more good by
properly educating them as to the use and abuse of heroin.

Heroin is probably the best opiate available to the public today. When
administered in its pure form and in proper dosages, heroin is not a
toxic drug. For decades it was prescribed and administered by medical
professionals until safer opiate combinations became available and
also when it was moved to Schedule 1 by the Drug Enforcement
Administration.

The reason that someone can overdose on heroin in this day and time is
that the product is only available on the black market because of our
country's prohibition laws. This creates a product that is impure;
thus, safe and proper dosages are virtually impossible.

Does the above "condone heroin use"? Quite the opposite. Its use is
certainly not recommended, primarily because it is so good that users
can very quickly develop physical dependency and addiction. Therefore,
anyone seeking opiate relief would be much better served in discussing
appropriate alternatives with a health care professional.

When 'all' currently illegal substances, including heroin, are removed
from the criminal arena and put into a properly regulated and medical
environment, overdoses such as the one cited in a Jan. 4 obituary will
become a thing of the past.

Stephen S. Heath

Clearwater, Fla.