HEROIN FOR FREE

Vancouver heroin-users have become the first in North America to be given
free prescription heroin, as part of a controversial drug trial that began
Monday.

It began with just three drug users, but will eventually recruit 157 people
for the two-year study.

They'll be split into two groups -- one receiving heroin, the other
methadone -- to find out if heroin is better for addicts who've failed at
methadone or abstinence.

"The site has the security requirements of Fort Knox,"said spokesman Jim
Boothroyd.