Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jul 2002
Source: East Anglian Daily Times (UK)
Copyright: 2002 Eastern Counties Newspapers Group Ltd
Contact:  http://www.eadt.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/913
Author: C Outhwaite

LET DRUG ADDICTS HAVE THEIR FIX LEGALLY

Sir, a " The way to stop drug dealing, drug related crime, the spread of 
aids due to dirty needles (a drain on the NHS and getting worse) and the 
criminal drug industry is simple. Give the drug addicts their drugs. Shock, 
horror. But consider this. If clinics were set up to give the drug addicts 
their fixes free they would not have to pay the dealers and the financial 
structure of the criminal drug industry would collapse. Also the recruiting 
of youngsters to become addicts would stop. If nobody needed to buy the 
drugs where is the profit in that.

The clinics would administer fixes only. No drugs would be given to be 
taken away. A simple blood test to prove the addiction and the issue of an 
identity card with photograph and name only. The use of clean needles would 
prevent the spread of aids and overdose deaths among young people would cease.

Morally wrong though this suggestion may be, the drug addicts will get 
their drugs, usually with money from crime so to provide fixes will not 
alter the consequences. The drugs for the fixes could come from seized 
contraband.

C Outhwaite

Saxmundham

Suffolk
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MAP posted-by: Beth