UNETHICAL TO PREVENT HEROIN TRIAL? a Feature by m9405597 (Brian Myers) Durgs aren't prohibited because they are "BAD"; they are prohibited because governments have decided that certain behaviours should be banned. Unfortunately, these repressive policies have not managed to clean up the drug problem and are having a negative effect on millions of people. Recently (June '97) two European drug experts gave a public seminar in Canberra on possible improvements that can be made in dealing with the heroin problem. Doctor Robert Haemmig, a psychiatrist from Switzerland, was one of the speakers. He was actively involved in running the extended Heroin Trial in his country and came to the conclusion that it was MEDICALLY UNETHICAL to prevent the controlled availability of heroin to addicts. Apart from a dramatic decrease in crimes committed by those on the Swiss trial, there was also a substantial improvement in their health and not a single death due to overdose. Because the crime rate significantly dropped (down 84%), the general cost to the community was greatly reduced. In the conclusion of the report of the Swiss trial it states 'The economic benefit of heroin-assisted treatment is considerable, particularly due to the reduction in the costs of criminal procedures and imprisonment and in terms of disease treatment.' # Thus, if controlled prescription of heroin was continued on a long term basis these changes alone would be incredibly beneficial to those treated and to society in general. In Australia, an artificial opiate called Methadone, has been prescribed to heroin addicts for 28 years. Now the results of the Swiss trial have shown that controlled prescription of heroin is also a highly effective option which many addicts find better than either methadone or morphine treatment. It seems to me that it is not scientific evidence, but social stigma which is preventing controlled prescription of heroin to addicts. Many people have already recognised this and have formed organisations which are lobbying for drug law reform in Australia. To my knowledge the main ones are the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation and Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform (These groups are spreading around Australia). I plead with the readers of this article to challenge repressive drug laws and insist on laws which are more equitable. The longer we leave it, the more lives are being destroyed. #from Summary of the Synthesis Report edited by Ambros Uchtenhagen of the Institute of Social and Preventative Medicine, Zurich, Switzerland, released 10/7/97. Related Web Site Created on Mon, 15 Sep 1997 and last modified on Sat, 25 Oct 1997.

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