FREE NHS HEROIN FOR ADDICTS IS WRONG, IMPRACTICAL AND DANGEROUS

The proposal by Howard Roberts, the deputy chief constable of
Nottingham for heroin to be prescribed to drug addicts is flawed,
impractical and dangerous (article, 23 November). As a police officer,
he approaches the problem of drug addiction through crime statistics,
rather than considering what is necessarily best for vulnerable drug-users.

For most heroin addicts, they can never have access to too much of the
drug, and even if prescribed a minimal dose, will still continue to
commit low-level crime to buy "that little bit more".

If the Government really wants to solve the drug problems, perhaps
this money would be better spent elsewhere. We have direct experience
in providing support for drug-users, their families and friends. We
understand the importance of outreach education as a preventative solution.

But programmes such as ours remain massively under-resourced, leaving
us desperately looking for funding to survive. The Government should
be investing money in counselling and education to ensure those with
addictions receive the extended and monitored support needed to help
combat their addictions.

Christina Ball

Operations Director, Drugsline Gants Hill, Ilford