HEROIN USERS WILL PUSH FOR FAVOURABLE RESULTS

Re: Heroin study is worth a try for the sake of addicts and society,
Editorial, Feb. 2

The recent media coverage about the heroin prescription trial does a good
job of illustrating the high degree of anticipation and hype that the trial
has created for downtown Vancouver addicts. Unfortunately, that widespread
anticipation might make it impossible to conduct an objective experiment.
How meaningful will it be to compare the group of 88 elated subjects who
win the heroin lottery to the group of 70 who were also desperately trying
to get the free heroin, but lost the luck of the draw?

The first group will likely be very motivated to give the researchers
positive results, while the second disappointed and disgruntled group
randomized to methadone would be much less motivated.

The recent news stories also illustrate that the addicts are acutely aware
that their behaviours and responses during the study might also determine
whether free heroin might be available afterwards.

In the end, this $10-million heroin trial might turn out to be more of an
experiment in changing social policy than objective science. I think it is
important to expand the public dialogue on the trials, although it might be
more honest to be debating the pros and cons of legalization rather than
the merits of this study.

Stanley deVlaming, MD

Vancouver