SWISS HEROIN PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM A FLOP
A heroin prescription program for cronic addicts in Switzerland between 1994 and 2000 is a massive failure.
The program maintained the addicts on prescription heroin.
Of the 2166 addicts that used the program almost half (1031 addicts) left for the following reasons -
- 224 joined abstinance (drug free) programs
- 379 joined a methodone program so as to maintain drug use
- 28 sought other treatment
- 30 died
- 87 left for involvement in violence and trafficking
- 34 imprisonment
- 41 health reasons
- 154 walked out
- 54 other reasons
The Swiss government claims that prescription heroin is "treatment".
The Swiss government keeps its most vunerable citizens addicted rather than helping them to get drug free.
52% of the cronic addicts that remained in the program are maintained in their heroin addiction with the consequent harmful health effects.
Of the 48% of those that left the program most are still addicted.
(Source: The Lancet 27/10/01)
MOST ADDICTS IN THE SWISS PROGRAM NEVER GOT DRUG FREE
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
DACA - HEROIN FACT SHEET 18
