Pubdate: Sun, 23 Jul 2006
Source: Observer, The (UK)
Copyright: 2006 The Observer
Contact:  http://www.observer.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/315
Author: Mark Townsend, crime correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

ANTI-HEROIN PROJECT TRANSFORMS TOWNS

A remarkable drugs project has transformed one of the regions worst 
affected by heroin addiction, it was revealed last week. Until 
recently, drug-related crimes made life a nightmare for people in the 
former pit villages of north Nottingham, with one in three families 
experiencing a fatal overdose, an addiction or a drug-related burglary.

But these statistics have been reversed by a social experiment which 
suggests that Britain may finally have a solution in the fight 
against hard drug abuse.

Since the scheme's launch three years ago, crime in the 
Nottinghamshire constituency of Bassetlaw has fallen by 75% and the 
number of heroin addicts has been reduced by a similar figure.

The scheme's premise is simple: rather than being viewed as a crime, 
heroin addiction is treated as a medical condition. Addicts in towns 
like Worksop, once badly affected, are offered a choice between 
prison or a course of treatment prescribed by their GP. Worksop could 
save UKP20m a year through cutting crime and rehabilitating addicts.

Inspired by local Labour MP John Mann, who had watched his 
constituency disintegrate through an epidemic of heroin addiction, 
doctors are given responsibility for tackling the issue.

Four years ago, just two heroin addicts in Bassetlaw were receiving 
treatment while there were 80 burglaries a month. Now 400 addicts are 
receiving treatment and only 20 burglaries were reported in the 
region last month.

Residents say their lives have been transformed; they can now go 
shopping without fear of being robbed.

Josie Potts, of Manton, a former pit village, began campaigning 
against heroin in 2002 after her grandson came home clutching a bag 
of used syringes. 'I remember thinking that I was staring at the 
future,' she said. 'At the time it was terrible, no one was safe. Now 
it is a different place ... everyone looks happier.'

The death knocks have also stopped. Just two heroin overdoses have 
been recorded in three years in Bassetlaw compared with 12 in 2002.
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