Pubdate: Thu, 03 Feb 2005
Source: Scotsman (UK)
Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 2005
Contact:  http://www.scotsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406
Author: Gayle Ritchie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

ANGER AS STUDY CLAIMS 'HEROIN CAN BE HARMLESS'

HEROIN can be taken in controlled situations for an extended period
with no negative health or social impact, academics claim today.

Researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University say some users of the
class-A drug are able to work and gain qualifications comparable with
non-addicts.

But anti-drugs campaigners condemned the release of the findings as
"irresponsible".

The study, by Dr David Shewan and Phil Dalgarno, focuses on 126
long-term heroin users not being treated for their drug use, recruited
in the Glasgow area.

Dr Shewan says the study shows that "while there are heroin users with
problems, there are also heroin users without problems.

"It should not be assumed that heroin inevitably leads to addictive
and destructive patterns and that all users suffer negative social and
health consequences."

He admits the survey sample is so small it could be skewed.

An Edinburgh-based drug support worker, David Pentland, a former
heroin addict, condemned the research. He said: "This could encourage
those who may otherwise have shied away from heroin to think it's OK."
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake