Source: Reuter

Dutch church says will start selling heroin

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (Reuter) A Dutch church will begin selling
cutprice heroin this autumn under a scheme organized by a Rotterdam
cleric, local media reported Wednesday. Hans Visser, a protestant
minister in the port city, will work with local doctors and social
workers to implement the project. Initially his Pauluskerk church
will supply a test group of 10 heroin addicts, judged to have no hope
of kicking their habit. ``It is the best (heroin) that's for sale,
abroad as well,'' Visser told Dutch news agency ANP, emphasizing the
project's health advantage. He added he had already found several
dealers who were willing to deliver heroin to the church at cost
price. Visser said he had decided to go it alone after a proposal for
a similar national scheme became bogged down in party politics.
Rotterdam alderman Hans Simons described Visser's plan as
``incomprehensible.'' Health Minister Els Borst said she was
referring the matter to the Justice Ministry. ``If I ask permission
it will not be granted. I expect I will be having a chat with justice
officials,'' Visser said.

^REUTER@