HEROIN HELPS

Contrary to some fears, but as expected by most experts, the area
surrounding the Plateau clinic distributing free heroin to addicts for
a scientific study has not led to increased crime or stray drug
paraphernalia littering the ground, according to a Universite de
Montreal study released last week.

The Montreal leg of the study was led by UdeM criminologist Serge
Brochu, whose team interviewed 40 people who lived or worked around
the clinic, took over 150 observational walks with a 200-metre radius
and analyzed Montreal police data. They found that there was no
increase in drug detritus, crime, antisocial behaviour or emergency
interventions since the North American Opiate Medication Initiative
(NAOMI) study began in 2005. Research around NAOMI's Vancouver branch,
in the drug-riddled Downtown Eastside, returned similar findings.

As for the patients-hardcore heroin addicts with histories of failed
recoveries who receive two to three doses of free heroin a day-Brochu
says there is "a clear improvement on their health, criminality and
social integration."

Nevertheless, with the study running its course, its future remains
cloudy. Future funding will have to come from the Quebec Ministry of
Health. The project's continuation will likely be studied this summer,
after its final report is published.