CONTROLLED HEROIN ACCESS

The problems associated with heroin addiction can be greatly reduced.
The results of trials in Switzerland showed that it is feasible to
provide heroin by intravenous injection at a clinic, up to three times
a day, seven days a week. This was done while maintaining good drug
control, good order, client safety and staff morale.

Conditions such as depression, malnourishment and anemia decreased
during the study period. Simultaneously, social conditions were much
improved: By the end of 1996, unemployment among the group in question
had dropped from 44 percent to 20 percent, and full-time employment
had risen from 14 percent to 33 percent. Six months into the study,
homelessness in the group had ceased to be an issue.

Hugh Robertson
Perth, Scotland

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady