I find it difficult to see why a heroin addicts should be singled out
to receive maintenance prescritptions of heroin.
My experience as a GP dealing with this group of patients is that they
have considerable pyschological, social and physical problems. However
feeding them drugs in the long run is less helpful than aiming for
abstinence. It is important to treat their dependency not maintain their
drug addiction. We do not suggest to alcoholics that they have maintenance
doses of alcohol. We offer them detoxification, advice and support and
help with trying to maintain abstinent. We should aim to reduce the
dependence of all addicts on drugs but this requires comprehensive and
well organised services rather than the patchy treatment available
nationally.
Rapid Response:
No to prescribing heroin to addicts
I find it difficult to see why a heroin addicts should be singled out
to receive maintenance prescritptions of heroin.
My experience as a GP dealing with this group of patients is that they
have considerable pyschological, social and physical problems. However
feeding them drugs in the long run is less helpful than aiming for
abstinence. It is important to treat their dependency not maintain their
drug addiction. We do not suggest to alcoholics that they have maintenance
doses of alcohol. We offer them detoxification, advice and support and
help with trying to maintain abstinent. We should aim to reduce the
dependence of all addicts on drugs but this requires comprehensive and
well organised services rather than the patchy treatment available
nationally.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests