Consequences of Prohibition
Drug War Issues
Politics & Advocacy
The head of the British Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) called this week for addicts to be prescribed heroin to prevent them from committing crimes to feed their habits. ACPO head Ken Jones, the former chief constable of Sussex, also admitted that current law enforcement strategies are failing when it comes to a "hardcore minority" of heroin users.
Ken Jones
Jones is one of the most senior police officials ever to advocate the use of prescription heroin in the effort to reduce the harm from black market use of the drug. According to research in Great Britain, heroin users commit an average of 432 crimes a year.
Studies in Switzerland and the Netherlands, where prescription heroin programs are underway, have found reductions in crimes committed by participants. While Britain has some 40,000 registered heroin addicts using methadone (and an estimated 327,000 "problem drug users" of cocaine or heroin), only a few hundred are currently receiving prescribed heroin as part of a pilot program. That's not enough, said Jones.
"I am not in any shape or form a legalizer, but what I am concerned with is that we have to shape up to some tough realities," he said. "We don't have enough treatment places for those who want to go on them. What we need is a cross-party consensus which considers the overwhelming public view to be tough on the roots of drugs, as well as treating its victims," he argued.
"I was a drugs officer and we have to be realistic," Jones continued. "There is a hardcore minority who are not in any way shape or form anxious to come off drugs. They think 'I am going to go out there and steal, rob, burgle and get the money to buy it'. What are we going to do -- say 'OK we are going to try and contain this by normal criminal justice methods' and fail, or are we going to look at doing something different? Start being a bit more innovative. It is about looking at things in a different way without turning away completely from the current position."
While up until the 1960s, British doctors regularly prescribed heroin to addicts, that practice ended under US pressure and because of scandals related to loose prescribing. It is time to go back to the good old days, Jones said. "There are junkies who are alive today who would have been dead now," he said. "Their lives are stable, yes, their addiction is being maintained, but far better they are being maintained than them trying to get their fix off the street from crime. Heroin is an incredible stimulator of crime and I think we are foolish if we don't acknowledge that."
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Comments
Government Heroin
The ghost of Eddie Ellison appears to be active. As the retired, former chief of Scotland Yard's Narcotics Unit, LEAP speaker Ellison spent years promoting the end of prohibition.
Prescription heroin for addicts
There does not seem any reason to believe that prescribing heroin for addicts will help addicts to abstain from their addiction. Or even to reduce their addiction.
Probably, because of the greater supply of heroin washing around, it will increase the availability of heroin to the population in general. And this will mean an increase in the number of users.
Non users will tend to feel that National Health Service money should be spent on cancer sufferers, rather than drug users, irrespective of the criminality that may be reduced,
In reply to Prescription heroin for addicts by Anonymous (not verified)
Most addicts would happily
Most addicts would happily pay the costs for legal, pure NHS heroin. And even a 10% levy for cancer sufferers. They'd get a good deal: pure reliable stuff for a fraction of the price they pay for the rubbish passed off by the gangsters. The NHS could make a modest reasonable profit and addicts remain healthy and lawful. The only ones who would object would be the gangsters - who would be bankrupted.
John marks
In reply to Prescription heroin for addicts by Anonymous (not verified)
prescript heroin to former addict
prescript only to register former addict. not for new addict. this will only go on for maybe 20 to 30 years.life time of these addict will be finish by than.this will eleminate drug trafficking.so after these years there will be very few addict left n no more drug trafficking
SUPPLYING HEROIN TO ADDICT WILL NOT STOP THIER HABBIT. BUT WILL REDUCE CRIME FOR SURE. WHY NOT GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO LIVE WITHOUT HIDING FROM SOCIETY.THEY HAVE PAY A HIGH PRICE FOR THIER HEALTH N LIFE. ALL OF US KNOW THEY SUFFER N ITS NOT WHAT THEY WANT FROM THE BEGINING.THIS IS THE ONLY GOOD THING WE CAN DO TO SEE THEM OFF.DOG BLESS THEM..A MEN
A Little Personal Responsibility?
I have no problem with prescribed heroin, although I question whether a prescription is necessary or makes sense. But with Britain's National Health Service, if that means that taxpayers will be funding peoples' addictions, I have a definite problem with that, as I'm sure do most in the U.K.
There's good evidence that the majority of drug users, even those addicted to heroin, are able to support themselves and their habits without resorting to (other) crimes.
The only sensible policy is: shoot up if you wanna, as long as you can afford it (at legal free market prices).
If not, you'd better reexamine your priorities.
ACPO's involvement
âACPOâ and âformer head of constabularyâ â a combination that should raise questions. ACPO appear to issue guidelines that are interpreted as policy by constabularies. But what is their ulterior motive? The answer appears to be âStudies in Switzerland and the Netherlands, where prescription heroin programs are underway, have found reductions in crimes committed by participantsâ. This is not about the well-being of addicts but the protection of their âvictimsâ; those from whom they rob and steal to fund their habit. Thereâs something to be said for this; an argument is that for every addict to fund his addiction there will be a substantial number of crimes committed.
Reduction of crime is not to be discouraged but is this about addressing the problem or cosmetic â making the police look good? Is this about âperformance indicatorsâ and lack of officers, see: http://www.lostmyshirt.co.uk/police_quotes.htm
ACPO is a Limited Company â my understanding is that the directors would have a responsibility to their shareholders, - which is unlikely to be every member of the public or drug addicts. As a Limited Company, as opposed to a public organisation, ACPO can also side-step Freedom of Information legislation which would apply to a Constabulary. Possibly they would release all information relating to their considerations on the subject if an FPI application was made ⦠but why should they?
Heroin Rehab
I find the statistics very alarming. But I wonder why the government needs to prescribe heroin to criminal-addicts. Why don't just put them to heroin rehabs specifically designed for them?
--kitty
PRESCRIPT HEROIN TO FORMER ADDICT
ONLY TO REGISTER ADDICTS. NOT TO NEW ADDICT.PENALTY WILL BE CHARGE TO NEW ADDICTS.THE LIFE TIME OF THESE FORMER ADDICTS IS ABOUT 20 TO 30 YEARS FROM NOW.SO AFTER THIS TIME THERE WILL BE VERY FEW ADDICTS LEFT. THIS WILL STOP DRUG TRAFFICKING FOR SURE. N NO MORE ADDICTS COMMITING CRIMES. WHY NOT? AT THE SAME TIME THERE MUST ALSO HAVE DRUG EDUCATION FROM GOVERMENT HEALTH MINISTRY. JUST THINK AFTER THIS TIME DRUG WON'T BE AN IMPORTANT ISSUE ANYMORE..
What I am thinking
This is wrong and could be even more harmful then the crime.
Those unwilling to change their bad habits(drugs, crime, ect) should be rid of.
That it the only way.
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