SWISS APPROVE HEROIN PROGRAM

GENEVA -- A pioneering program to give addicts government-authorized
heroin has been overwhelmingly approved by Swiss voters.

At the same time, they rejected the decriminalization of marijuana in
yesterday's referendum.

Sixty-eight per cent of voters approved making the heroin program
permanent.

It has been credited with reducing crime and improving the health and
lives of addicts since it began 14 years ago. Only 36.8% of voters
favoured the marijuana initiative.

Parliament approved the heroin measure in a revision of Switzerland's
narcotics law this past March. But conservatives challenged the
decision and forced a national referendum under Switzerland's system
of direct democracy.