HEROIN PROGRAMS IN U.S. ARE PRACTICING BAD MEDICINE

I read the summary of the Swiss heroin research, and it is quite clear that
Sally Satel doesn't have a clue about drugs, drug addiction or the effects
of drug prohibition ("Test of `heroin maintenance' may be launched in
Baltimore," June 10).

The Swiss program is light years ahead of the United States. Crime among
addicts in the Swiss program dropped 60 percent in the first six months,
HIV-AIDS transmission fell off the charts and there were no overdoses.

Permanent employment among patients doubled, homelessness declined and the
Swiss government figures it has saved about $45 per addict per day by not
using the prohibitionist approach. The Swiss are so pleased with the results
that a 70 percent majority voted to make heroin maintenance a national policy.

Dr. Satel cannot point to any drug program in the United States that
remotely approaches the positive results of the Swiss program. Insisting on
continuing our failed drug prohibition policy is not only foolish, it's
medical malpractice.

Redford Givens, Mill Valley, Calif.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett