HEROIN 'WEANING' TESTS CONSIDERED IN CANADA

TORONTO - Canadian researchers are seeking government approval to study the
use of high-quality heroin, rather than the drug substitute methadone, in
addiction-treatment programs.

A proposal should go the Health Ministry this week, Vancouver physician
Martin Schechter of the University of British Columbia said over the
weekend. He said similar studies have been carried out in Europe, but this
would be the first in North America.

The standard addiction therapy, in which addicts are given the heroin
substitute methadone, "can be highly effective," Dr. Schechter earlier told
the first International Conference on Inner City Health.