Pubdate: Fri, 04 Feb 2005
Source: Daily Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Telegraph Group Limited
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/114
Author: Auslan Cramb, Scottish Correspondent
Cited: Scotland Against Drugs http://www.sad.org.uk/
Cited: Turning Point http://www.turning-point.co.uk/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

HEROIN 'SAFE' CLAIM ATTACKED

A claim that it is possible to pass exams, hold down a good job and
lead an apparently normal life while taking heroin was made by
researchers yesterday.

A study of 126 people in Glasgow who use the drug found that many
worked full-time, had successful relationships and were not receiving
treatment for their condition.

The academics claimed that 70 per cent of those who used it for the
past seven years had not suffered health problems.

Dr David Shewan, co-author of the report which was commissioned by the
Scottish Executive, claimed the chemical properties of the class-A
drug did not necessarily lead to addictive and destructive drug use.

But he added that the concept of controlled use was a "largely
unexplored" area of research, and he gave a warning that his findings
should be treated with caution.

Opposition politicians and anti-drug campaigners said the report was
misleading and a waste of public money. Alistair Ramsay, of Scotland
Against Drugs added: "Anyone reading this who thinks they can take
heroin safely would be wrong.

"In Scotland, we have 55,800 heroin users who are clearly unable to
function as normal so it cannot be assumed that the findings have
universal application."

Lord Adebowale, chief executive of the alcohol and drug organisation
Turning Point, said: "This report isn't saying that heroin is safe. It
says that if you have a job, if you have a house, an income, are well
educated and have a health system to support you, it's possible to
survive an addiction to a pretty serious substance. Most people don't
have this and have mental health challenges as well as a heroin problem."

Shona Robison, the Scottish National Party's health spokesman, said
the research, by a team at Glasgow Caledonian University, seemed "like
a waste of money". 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake