SWISS DECREE ON THERAPY FOR ADDICTION TO ILLICIT DRUGS

Following voters' rejection in last year's national referendum of proposals
aimed at forcing rapid abstinence on drug users, the Swiss government has
issued a decree regarding treatment. This is accompanied by indications of
the approximate total of addicts currently eligible for treatment under
medical supervision: 800 on heroin, 100 on morphine, and about 100 on
methadone. The decree does not set limits on the number of addicts who may
receive treatment. Experimental administration of heroin, started in 1994,
shows that between 2000 and 3000 people (about one in 10 of those believed
to be on "hard" drugs) are "heavily dependent" addicts, most have tried
repeatedly to break the habit.

Authority for the existing programme expires in 2000; the decree extends it
until a new law comes into force, expected not later than 2004. In it,
heroin may be categorised as a medication, possibly prescribed by specially
trained family doctors and paid for by sickness insurance.