Prescribed Heroin

OK, in one sense it seems logical, but my gut tells me this is a bad idea. Obviously, I'm a little jaded due to recent events in my life, but then I can see where controled administration of the drug could prevent tragedies.

Still, is this really the sort of thing governments need to become involved in? I also realize that there can be benefits to the general society if this study is successful, but then none of the participants really expect to ever be clean on this program either.

So how do our northern buddies feel about this?

Well of course the easier method is to let the addicts die in the back alleys. Always easier not to deal with the problem. Like prostitution - to ignore it makes for a safe political career. Unless you are in East Vancouver - the developed world capital of heroin addict, a wasteland. You have to see it to believe it - it's like a sci-fi movie or a bad 1970s Bronx movie. Zombies walking around boarded stores...

'Heroin addiction afflicts an estimated 60 to 90,000 Canadians', that's a lot of people.

In 2003 Vancouver also pioneered a 'safe injection site' where addicts could come and take their drugs with safe needles, have a free medical check-out, meet with nurses and a psychiatrist. This experiment is still going on.

Read this too:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6941724/

The new mayor of Vancouver is actually an incredible fellow. A former Crown prosecutor, he saw the waste of time and resources spent by Governments trying to punish poor and wasted people. He got elected on addressing the Vancouver heroin problem, on trying new things aside from repression.

Read more here:
http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/newsreleases2003/NR_SISopening.htm

Some people especially in Alberta and the US still believe that enforcement and repression 'work'. It sure creates 'work' with the judges, the cops, the famous american prison system, paramedics, etc. Canada has always been 'softer' on crime. No death penalty here since 1976 - last one in 1962. Just last week the US voted against death penalty for teenagers.

Myself I don't know what to think. 2 men I know (actual boyfriends of co-workers) are recurrent heroin addicts, When they relapse, it's hell! There is no easy solution. Actually the best solution always comes from a secure, loving childhood. But what about those messed-up grown-ups? I don't think jail is the answer - it just mess them up further.

So my feedback is: try tons of different things. Some people will change their life via jail, other therapy, other through love, other through disgust - every one has his / her way. Whatever ways the government tries is good - it might reach the heart of someone, and save them from self-destruction.

There would be many options if the government stayed the hell out of it all together, as in no laws prohibiting it, except for minors of course.

The question which establishes the need for any law is who's individual rights are being violated ?

Last edited: Friday, March 11, 2005 at 1:38:00 PM