B.C. doctors given Health Canada approval to prescribe heroin

That's fantastic.

Slowly, the fascist walls of this war on drugs have begun to crumble.

Harper and his hidden agenda Conservatives know their ulterior motive anti-drug policies have begun to lose their sway. In the face of new or recent, science-driven, factual ideology, adults of all ages who once stubbornly walked and talked the path of the Conservative, have begun to embrace the truth. And I rejoice for being alive to witness the recent events of late which have contributed to slowly but surely undermining this 40+ year-old war on drug users which has caused untold amounts of irreparable damage since its inception, ironically by a crooked president.

I optimistically await the day, when no one has their freedom snatched away because they felt the need to self-medicate or experiment with a psychotropic substance. A day when we shall look upon the so-called "war on drugs" in bemusement and sadness at the hands of capitalist hypocrites who where in a position to stop or avoid this altogether, but rather chose to look the other way because of the 'financial benefits' awaiting them.

Lastly, one day, I hope that those in power who would choose to break their promises during elections, particularly in relation to drug policy reform, are impeached and banned for the rest of their lives from politics in general.

Edit - I seriously need to relocate to Vancouver. I grow tired of Toronto. Partly because the Leafs continue to suck.

 

Beautifully illustrated; it makes me furious that people without even basic knowledge of drugs feel the need to muscle in on a subject they're completely fucking clueless about, because sadly these people are actually listened to by the policy makers; it's these shrill, hysterical people on a permanent mission to punish addicts, and certainly not help them. It's just a shame...the whole drug policy is a fucking shame, because these people we elect are actually rational and intelligent people, they're just too shit scared to anger MR and MRS Joe Clueless-they do want to remain in power, after all.

 

I agree with the above arguments but AT LEAST it is a step in the right direction. There is still a LONG way to go.

 

I agree that the stigma behind Heroin is ridiculous. The only reason so many junkies end up dying of smack OD's is because there is no way for a addict to know the potency of a particular batch. Not to mention what it may be cut with. That is one reason why i have stuck with pharmaceutical opiates and have never bothered with Heroin. That and the price of the stuff. But it's not really a new concept to use Heroin or as it's called when you get a script or shot at the hospital of it diamorphine for acute and chronic pain. I really don't know why it was taken off the market in Canada as it's a perfectly good painkiller and as morphine can cause alot of side effects for certain people it could be used in cases where people get too sick from morphine. Granted dilaudid and fentanyl could be used in such a case as well and they are way more potent then pure diamorphine. So it is rather silly that you can get a drug as potent as fentanyl for pain relief but not Heroin.

Interestingly enough one of the best doctors I've ever had was a English doctor and she mentioned diamorphine as a possible medication to help the severe attacks of trigeminal neuralgia i get. Then she remembered that it's not on the market anymore in Canada . There doesn't seem to be nearly as much stigma in using diamorphine in the UK for relief from severe pain. It's sure as shit alot safer then being pumped full of Demerol which some doctors still don't mind doing.

As for drug withdrawals i would much rather come off a opiate then venlafaxine or alcohol. Hell gabapentin withdrawal causes more physical pain for me then coming off opiates such as morphine or dilaudid and the withdrawal lasts much longer. Yet alot of doctors push this shit off on patients as a non addictive painkiller 8)

Indeed. It's not the heroin that kills and ruins people lives, but the lifestyle associated with it and it's inconsistent purity.

 

As for the testosterone, i'm scripted Detatestryl 200mg once a week subcutaneously since a couple months now, it really works...and it makes me feel a way I didn't since a good half a decade....like normal...and not tired mentally and physically like I am since the latter half of my 20's and on.

I still wonder why your doctor prescribes it subcutaneously... It boggles my fucking mind that a depot is injected under the skin. You would get much better results with an IM injection.

 

I can't remember where I read it, but it was a trustworthy source.

I don't regret starting suboxone, but I wish I had done a short-term taper. As I said, I've been on it far too long. To be frank, I'm terrified of coming off it. I don't really get "high" from it, I'm just taking it to stop getting sick.

^Have you experienced any negative side effects from bupe? For myself, I kind of feel emotionally numb all the time; I find it hard to take pleasure in pretty much anything. I'm not sure if I can blame this on the sub, though.

I guarantee it's your Testosterone levels. I felt like that until got on Testosterone. Best fucking choice I ever made. Every opiate addict in recovery that is on Suboxone, Bupenephrine, or Methadone should be on Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

 

Yeah why not prescribe these h addicts there daily / weekly fix.. whilst theyre on why dont they hand over some underaged girls n boys to a peadophile ring? #sarcasm

+ the meth heads a pipe n some walter white crystal?

I mean its nit there fault there raging smackheads is it?

 

Yeah why not prescribe these h addicts there daily / weekly fix.. whilst theyre on why dont they hand over some underaged girls n boys to a peadophile ring? #sarcasm

+ the meth heads a pipe n some walter white crystal?

I mean its nit there fault there raging smackheads is it?

There's a huge difference between allowing an individual to consume a psychotropic substance (because (s)he feels the need to), and forcibly placing a child (who clearly wouldn't be there if given the choice) at the mercy of an adult sex addict who prefers that his/her partner hasn't reached puberty.

One of these two crimes is victimless.

Also, at present, the amount of cluelessness and sheer arrogance surrounding the drug diacetylmorphine by the average adult layperson living in a first-world nation is beyond astonishing.

For example:

- I wonder how many people know that diacetylmorphine was once sold in Pharmacies throughout the US by Bayer, "the makers of Aspirin" who dubbed it 'Heroin', and also that this is where the common slang name for the former pharmaceutical-turned-street drug came from.

- I'm curious as to how many of us are aware that diacetylmorphine (Heroin) isn't a true drug? "Smack" isn't active in its present form. It is converted to morphine in the body (as well as a couple of other metabolites). Therefore, Heroin is technically a prodrug. Just like codeine.

- I ponder, time and time again, how many individuals know that pharmaceutical grade (unadulterated) diacetylmorphine is about as dangerous and risky to use as other common Rx narcotics, such as hydromorphone (Dilaudid), oxycodone (OxyContin), and oxymorphone (Opana)?

- Most importantly, how many ignorant idiots living among us are still oblivious to the fact that the current system of drug policies (among the nations who signed the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs in '61) were put in place long ago for reasons (racism, religion, greed, lust for power and money) which had nothing to do with health concerns?

I could go on and on about how fucked up our drug laws are, but I need a break.

 

of course theres a huge difference,.. you clearly didnt see the word "#sarcasm" - check again cause its definetly there.

my god, if you thought i was being serious give your head a wobble

+ Why should heroin be prescribed to any1? user's have no 1 but themself's to blame for the state there in. why hand it to them on a plate? fuck me

 

of course theres a huge difference,.. you clearly didnt see the word "#sarcasm" - check again cause its definetly there.

"Yeah why not prescribe these h addicts there daily / weekly fix.. whilst theyre on why dont they hand over some underaged girls n boys to a peadophile ring? #sarcasm" - Which part of this run-on sentence weren't you being sarcastic about?

The way in which you wrote the above line implies that you clearly disagree with prescribing maintenance doses of diacetylmorphine to Heroin addicts; and also that in your opinion, it's about as wrong as having pedophiles being handed over underage girls and boys. And, as I've stated previously, there is a fundamental difference between the two as the diacetylmorphine isn't alive, isn't human, doesn't feel fear, won't develop PTSD, and so forth.

+ Why should heroin be prescribed to any1?

Providing a heroin addict with an appropriate/proper dosage of pure, unadulterated diacetylmorphine BID for little to no cost provides the following benefits to the patient (the following is based on my experience living day to day as an opioid addict):

- Zero cravings. If you've never been physically dependent and addicted to opioids, especially the more potent ones, then this probably means little to you.

- The patient no longer needs to worry about where to find his/her next fix. Depending on where a Heroin addict lives, it can take days to find a fix. Or, it can take minutes.

- The patient no longer needs to worry about how to afford his/her next fix. A Heroin habit tends to be very expensive - partly because drug dealers are free to set prices as high as they wish. Therefore, after they pawn all their valuables, an addict may resort to crime (stealing, prostitution, etc.) to fund their habit. And the prostitutes know they are at risk of infection of STDs such as HIV, but they risk it nonetheless. Same with the thieves. They'd all rather avoid opiate withdrawal. That's how agonizingly painful it is.

- The patient no longer needs to worry about the possibility that (s)he will go into withdrawal soon. When in withdrawal, it's extremely difficult for a Heroin addict to function. So what typically happens is, once the addict manages to come up with enough money to buy a fix, they then shoot up. Soon afterwards, the addict once again goes back to doing whatever it is they do to make money. Some come up with enough money faster than others, but typically it takes a few hours. Then they go to their dealer, or if (s)he's not around, "a" dealer for a fix and shoot up again. Then the vicious cycle repeats itself. Heroin addicts don't have time to do anything else other than come up with enough money to afford their next fix so that they don't go into withdrawal. That needs to change if we ever want to give them a chance to live a normal life.

- The patient no longer needs to worry about the possibility that (s)he will be busted by the cops and thrown into jail. There's always a possibility that the next fix you buy is from an undercover cop who's looking to fill his weekly quota.

- The patient no longer needs to worry about the possibility that sharing a needle with another user may infect him/her with HIV, Hepatitis C, etc. Countless Heroin addicts do not have access to clean needles, so they share and re-use dirty ones with other addicts. One of those addicts - a prostitute - recently (unknowingly) became infected with HIV after having sexual intercourse with an HIV positive individual. Now there's a chance that everyone else who used the needle after her is infected.

- The patient no longer needs to worry about adulterants as the purity of prescribed diacetylmorphine is always pharmaceutical grade, always pure. Many Heroin addicts overdose due to unusually potent batches of Heroin (some of which turn out to not be Heroin at all, but rather a much stronger opioid, such as fentanyl). That's one example of many possible scenarios regarding what may or may not be found in a baggie of smack somewhere out there.

- Since the patient who is on a proper, stable dose of pharmaceutical grade "Heroin" doesn't need to worry about health issues in relation to sharing needles and prostitution, death from overdose, adulterated Heroin, cost, availability, breaking the law, cravings, and especially opiate withdrawal syndrome, they can begin to concentrate on other parts of their lives, such as:

- Mending and repairing broken relationships with family.

- Finding suitable work.

- Seeking suitable shelter.

- Paying back any debts or money owed.

- Repairing their credit.

- Maintaining a healthy diet.

- Seeking appropriate medical attention and counselling to attempt to address the issues in their lives which caused them to resort to using recreational drugs.

- If financially possible, start a rehab program for addiction issues.

- If possible, spend time with supportive family members and/or relatives who won't directly or indirectly encourage drug seeking behavior, but also who won't treat you like a scumbag because of past street drug use.

- If single, and the time feels right, seek companionship, or an intimate relationship.

- If with children, make up for lost time by spending time and showing that you care and love them.

- Take up a new hobby.

- Go back and finish school if not completed.

- And much more.

user's have no 1 but themself's to blame for the state there in.

Nothing could be further from the truth, but I don't expect you to even try to understand why.

 

Rona Ambrose is also on a war against generic oxycontins since she became health minister, i'm sure the previous NATIVE CANADIAN health minister was tossed out for being native and also allowing as usual drugs to be made as generics once a patent ends, it's how it works and how costs of medication remains low in Canada (rarely do people are on brand names of medication unless it is all that exists).

Like fucking Cymbalta, my mom is ruining herself buying that even if she gets repaid 80% by her insurance, 3 weeks later, and at 90mg a day it's a huge expense making her not use her other medication she should be using.


Ok, I got carried away here, but fuck you Rona Ambrose, I prefered when you were in some sort of invisible ministrye, you started as minister of natural resources though...you're scum and the rcmp is coming at you and Harper (see Senate scandal).

 

I guarantee it's your Testosterone levels. I felt like that until got on Testosterone. Best fucking choice I ever made. Every opiate addict in recovery that is on Suboxone, Bupenephrine, or Methadone should be on Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Good post!

I think you mean every male opiate addict though.

I wonder if that would work for PAWS as well.

 

I guarantee it's your Testosterone levels. I felt like that until got on Testosterone. Best fucking choice I ever made. Every opiate addict in recovery that is on Suboxone, Bupenephrine, or Methadone should be on Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

What's really weird is that I notice that when I'm on opiates I feel this strange sort of...idk, physical kind of depression. I just feel less energetic strong/assertive. Now that I think about it, I almost wonder if that couldn't be the exact problem; that my testosterone levels are suffering. I'd never even considered anything like that, but the symptoms make quite a lot of sense in that light. It's good you said something, I must examine the issue further...

 

What's really weird is that I notice that when I'm on opiates I feel this strange sort of...idk, physical kind of depression. I just feel less energetic strong/assertive. Now that I think about it, I almost wonder if that couldn't be the exact problem; that my testosterone levels are suffering. I'd never even considered anything like that, but the symptoms make quite a lot of sense in that light. It's good you said something, I must examine the issue further...

AFAIK, opioids, especially methadone, have an effect on the hypothalamus which causes it to increase secretion of prolactin. Increased levels of prolactin (among other things) has an effect on testosterone levels in males, which decreases over time. And this perpetual decrease in testosterone levels eventually can lead to a condition known as hypogonadism. And its symptoms are consistent with what you are describing.

I'm no MD, but I've been on (what some may consider rather high doses - 255mg daily) of methadone long enough to know that eventually almost every male on MMT will require bi-weekly or monthly injections of testosterone.

After my results came back, they were as follows:

Testosterone - Normal range: ~173 - 778 ng/dL
Testosterone - Patient: ~29 ng/dL

I've been on 200mg of Testosterone Enanthate bi-weekly for about 3 years now, and it's made an enormous difference with respect to energy, mood, libido, and more.

I highly recommend that you get yourself checked out for "free testosterone levels" asap because consistently low levels can lead to lowered bone density, decreased muscle mass, increased estrogen levels, gynecomastia (bitch tits), and perhaps even child bearing hips

Or, if the insurance situation ain't good (and I'm not responsible if anything goes wrong), perhaps as a last resort see if you can get your hands on some testosterone, a clean needle, and inject yourself in the ass cheek. Takes a few days to take effect. The stuff is quite viscous (oily, thick), so you're gonna have to slowly, patiently, get it through the syringe and into the tissue. Always start with 1cc every 4 weeks or monthly (and increase to bi-weekly only if you don't feel a difference after 3 months).

 

Ignorance about this nasty drug "heroin" is a large reason otherwise rational people would support giving heroin to heroin to heroin addicts. I know some (ok - a lot if you are a person I will never get along with, so stop bothering me) people will say "why encourage people to become addicts by giving it to them". Well, all I can say is that people don't intend to become heroin addicts. But once its hooks are in, it's very difficult to change. I will leave it at that.

I really, really wish more people understood opiod addiction, but the only way that would ever happen would be widescale opiod addiction. It's nothing like any other addiction that I've come across personally, and I am not saying that because it's the only drug I've been addicted to. I really do wish more people either understood, or at least had compassion for addicts whose only real harm comes from the fact that the drug is illegal, expensive (in Austtralia) and hard to get consistently. It depresses me so much, only fellow addicts would understand. It is like a living hell, when it could be so much better.

Depression has roots, and this is one of them for me.

 

Depression has roots, and this is one of them for me.

Yeah this topic also gives me the blues at times, especially when reading comments on an article about someone who OD'd made by readers towards the deceased. Shit like, "one less cockroach to worry about" - and so forth.

Many relationships with friends and family have been broken once they found out about me using. Smoking and drinking was acceptable to them, but not an opioid.

More than anything though, I get frustrated.

You know what though? Fuck it if they're too narrow-minded to consider other views on the subject from people who've actually been there, done that.

There are good people out there who WILL NOT think less of you for using. People you can trust. Not many of them, but they're out there.

 

[heroin addicts] only real harm comes from the fact that the drug is illegal

Nobody is harmed by being sentenced to prison.

 

Nobody is harmed by being sentenced to prison.

Are you being sarcastic, because I don't get it...

 

If I was being sarcastic then that means you did get it. Unless you do not get sarcasm, but then how could you think it was sarcastic?
If I was not being sarcastic, then it is very simple to understand. Going to prison/paying fines/criminal record does no harm to people.

 

If I was being sarcastic then that means you did get it. Unless you do not get sarcasm, but then how could you think it was sarcastic?
If I was not being sarcastic, then it is very simple to understand. Going to prison/paying fines/criminal record does no harm to people.

Perhaps I phrased that wrong.

If you were being sarcastic, it fell flat, at least to me.

If you were not being sarcastic, then you're just trolling.

 

Perhaps I phrased that wrong.

If you were being sarcastic, it fell flat, at least to me.

If you were not being sarcastic, then you're just trolling.

You are the one who is trolling.