Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 Source: Manchester Evening News (UK) Copyright: 2002 Manchester Evening News Contact: http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1313 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?131 (Heroin Maintenance) 'GIVE ADDICTS PURE HEROIN' PURE heroin should be made widely available to addicts in an effort to combat the increasing number of drug deaths, says a regional health chief. He also believes cannabis should be fully legalised and sold through specially licensed premises. Dr Peter Elton, head of public health for Boltonand Wigan, said the move would save lives and help to smash the drugs trade. He suggested addicts would attend clinics up to four times a day for an injection of diamorphine - pure heroin - while at the same time having treatment to try to wean them off the drug. "Many of the health dangers arise from the contaminated drugs delivered through dirty equipment and variable quality," he said. Dr Elton said that legalisation of cannabis would have the effect of allowing a proper policy to be developed in relation to "dope drivers" and mean that people wanting cannabis would not have to resort to illegal drug dealers. Wigan and Bolton Health Authority is considering adopting his views as policy. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake