Swiss approve prescription heroin

[E-llusion]

Swiss voters have backed a change in health policy that would provide prescription heroin to addicts.

Final results from the national referendum showed 68% of voters supported the plan.

The scheme, where addicts inject the drug under medical supervision at a clinic, began in Zurich 14 years ago before spreading across the country.

But in another referendum, the Swiss appear to have rejected the decriminalisation of cannabis.

The heroin vote was one of a series of referendums held to decide policy on illegal drugs.

The policy is described as one of last resort - prescribing addicts with the very drug that caused their problems in the first place - but supporters say it works, and Swiss voters appear to have agreed, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Berne says.

Switzerland would be the first country to include it in government policy.

Supporters say it has had positive results - getting long-term addicts out of Switzerland's once notorious "needle parks" and reducing drug-related crime.

Opponents say heroin prescription sends the wrong message to young people and harms the addicts themselves.

Cannabis questions

Under the scheme, addicts visit clinics up to twice a day, where they inject the drug under medical supervision. They can also be treated for other medical issues or mental health problems, out correspondent says.

On cannabis things were less clear - Swiss police regularly turn a blind eye to moderate cannabis use.

But recent studies suggesting that long-term use of the drug may be more harmful than previously thought looked likely to encourage a "No" to decriminalisation.

Early results showed only 36.8% of those voting supported decriminalising cannabis, the Associated Press (AP) news agency said.

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Swiss approve prescription heroin

updated at 17:14 GMT, Sunday, 30 November 2008

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7757050.stm

 

[Public//Enemy]

A step forward!

...Shame about the decision on weed tho.. not that suprised tho =/

 

[beardedadventurer]

I have always had great respect for the Swiss, their policy of non-interventionism is one which the US could learn a lot from. I didn't have much knowledge of their substance policies, but it seems that the Swiss people are very tolerant of substance use, not as much as say, the Dutch, but tolerant none the less.

I would agree that with this policy they have taken a step in the right direction, attempting to get addicts off the streets and parks, and into a place where they won't be judged and provided with the tools to inject safely, similar to Vancouver. People that are addicted to chemical substances should be treated as patients, not ruthless criminals.

 

[psilophile.7]

Great choice by the Swiss people, however I'm disappointed that they didn't vote for the decriminalization of cannabis. =\

Either way, big step forward.

Will the US ever be there?

 

[FDRinTRINIDAD]

Good on the Swiss. I wonder if anyone has tried to rob one of those places? With all that gal sitting around sooner or later a junkies gona be junky and try to jack that place.

 

[Dezamasezon]

doubt that =(

edit: but we can hope for such things =)

 

[carsons_koolaid]

i just read this story on my homepage, before coming to bluelight. i have mixed feelings on it... i agree that it will be safer; there should be less crime, less transmission of disease by sharing dirty needles, less overdoses, less public use, etc... but what about addicts that need to fix more than twice a day, or need a larger fix than what they are allowed, because their addiction is at a higher level? what about addicts of other drugs that don't have clinics for safe use? why should the exception for heroin addicts be made, when many other users of different substances, substances that may not even be as harsh as heroin, need help just as much? a person that smokes marijuana, or pops some pills, will be persecuted while the heroin addict gets government assisted fixes. don't get me wrong, i'm not against the idea of helping heroin addicts... i'm sure it will have many positive effects. my concern is for addicts of other substances... when will they get the help they need? they aren't going to decriminalize marijauna obviously... so are they going to create clinics for pot smokers, meth addicts, cocaine/crack addicts, prescription pill addicts?... somewhere they can go in and get a government fix, to reduce the many similar problems associated with those drugs as well? maybe all swiss addicts should just switch to heroin so they can go to a clinic and get their fix legally.

 

[white_magic]

i just read this story on my homepage, before coming to bluelight. i have mixed feelings on it... i agree that it will be safer; there should be less crime, less transmission of disease by sharing dirty needles, less overdoses, less public use, etc... but what about addicts that need to fix more than twice a day, or need a larger fix than what they are allowed, because their addiction is at a higher level? what about addicts of other drugs that don't have clinics for safe use? why should the exception for heroin addicts be made, when many other users of different substances, substances that may not even be as harsh as heroin, need help just as much? a person that smokes marijuana, or pops some pills, will be persecuted while the heroin addict gets government assisted fixes. don't get me wrong, i'm not against the idea of helping heroin addicts... i'm sure it will have many positive effects. my concern is for addicts of other substances... when will they get the help they need? they aren't going to decriminalize marijauna obviously... so are they going to create clinics for pot smokers, meth addicts, cocaine/crack addicts, prescription pill addicts?... somewhere they can go in and get a government fix, to reduce the many similar problems associated with those drugs as well? maybe all swiss addicts should just switch to heroin so they can go to a clinic and get their fix legally.

Oh come on, there has to be a start somewhere. While it's true that the number of new heroin users is declining, as opposed to those of other drugs, heroin is widely considered the hardest substance to kick and also the easiest to OD from. When people say 'addict', an IV heroin user comes to mind for most. Try to see the glass as half full on this one. The intent is to help a group of people, not to discriminate against others. Or, instead of making this small step, should the Swiss government try to pass legislation to allow prescribing of all illicit substances (a legislation that would undoubtedly fail)?

 

[Dragynfyr]

ah huh......

 

[Survived Abortion]

Carsons Koolaid made some good points... It is hardly fair that help goes exclusively to heroin users. This has been a long time problem in many countries. I live in the UK, and I know that this situation also applies to the US; heroin junkies can get methadone maintenace therapy or suboxone maintenance at the drop of a hat. Addicts of other drugs cannot get this kind of service, even though withdrawal can be alot worse, even fatal in some cases.

Benzodiazepines, the other half of me... Withdrawal is so severe, cold-turkey from opiates doesn't compare. Seizures, psychosis... the whole works. And it doesn't end, it just goes on and on and on, so relapse is virtually inevitable. And of course other people I know, who are addicted to a vast spectrum of substances would not receive the care they need. Most addicts use their drug of choice for a reason. Many junkies need their drug... We are most of us self-medicating - because the help we need doesn't come from conservative healthcare professionals.
Awaiting flames.

 

[benzoheadplus44]

^ Good point on the self medicating idea... most of us are trying to escape soemthing with habitual use of an addictive drug, in this case opiates and benzos.

 

[drunken_etard]

Wow thats fucking sweet man. That is totally a step forword in the right direction. I wish I was part of that program. Hmm but im thankfull enough for the methadone program right now.

 

[shepj]

I agree that it's definately progression, but I find humor that they administer diacetylmorphine before they decriminilize the use of cannabis. lol

 

[PunjiStick]

Yes, I am a cannabis addict, where is my clinic???

 

[donkeyPUNCH]

so are they going to create clinics for pot smokers, meth addicts, cocaine/crack addicts, prescription pill addicts?... somewhere they can go in and get a government fix, to reduce the many similar problems associated with those drugs as well?

no, because of all other drugs you have just named, none have as a debilitating physical withdrawl symptoms as heroin. in Switzerland, and most of the world outside of the United States, prescription pills are nowhere near as popular as inside the U.S. There are not as many different types of benzos, opiates, and other addictive drugs in most other countries.

Meth and Coke/Crack(freebase) addicts do have physical withdrawl symptoms, but IMO they aren't even close to the severity of Heroin's symptoms. most of the withdrawl from these substances is a mental thing and while cravings can be very severe, most addicts are not left in a puddle of human feces, vomit, urine, and sweat when they try to kick their habit.

Pot, are you kidding me? no, there is never going to be a clinic where you can go and get your pot "fix" twice a day. because marijuana is a non addictive drug. do you have a nicotine "clinic"? because cigarettes are a harder drug than weed if you ask me. Also, I've never heard of a pothead robbing a liquor store because he was sick from not having his bongload 6 hours beforehand so I don't know what social "problems" you speak of related to marijuana. 8)

so overall, I don't agree with your point here. Heroin addicts have been recieving opiate replacement therapy for decades in america and europe because heroin (opiates in general) addiction is probably the most severe of all of the drug addictions one can get themselves into. while the benzo withdrawls may be considered worse by some standards, a person going into seizures will most likely not rob someone, or beat up an old lady for her purse. because they are flopping around on the ground like a fish. so they are not going to get their diazepam clinics because they don't cause so much crime that it makes it worth it to just give them their drug of choice.

 

[hpjunkie]

Good on the Swiss. I wonder if anyone has tried to rob one of those places? With all that gal sitting around sooner or later a junkies gona be junky and try to jack that place.

i hear ya. i can see that happening like in the valley or something. but i think swiss junkies arn't as hardcore as L.A. junkies.

 

[LiLc]

Interesting move by the swiss.

 

[danalprazolam]

no, because of all other drugs you have just named, none have as a debilitating physical withdrawl symptoms as heroin. in Switzerland, and most of the world outside of the United States, prescription pills are nowhere near as popular as inside the U.S. There are not as many different types of benzos, opiates, and other addictive drugs in most other countries.

Meth and Coke/Crack(freebase) addicts do have physical withdrawl symptoms, but IMO they aren't even close to the severity of Heroin's symptoms. most of the withdrawl from these substances is a mental thing and while cravings can be very severe, most addicts are not left in a puddle of human feces, vomit, urine, and sweat when they try to kick their habit.

Pot, are you kidding me? no, there is never going to be a clinic where you can go and get your pot "fix" twice a day. because marijuana is a non addictive drug. do you have a nicotine "clinic"? because cigarettes are a harder drug than weed if you ask me. Also, I've never heard of a pothead robbing a liquor store because he was sick from not having his bongload 6 hours beforehand so I don't know what social "problems" you speak of related to marijuana. 8)

so overall, I don't agree with your point here. Heroin addicts have been recieving opiate replacement therapy for decades in america and europe because heroin (opiates in general) addiction is probably the most severe of all of the drug addictions one can get themselves into. while the benzo withdrawls may be considered worse by some standards, a person going into seizures will most likely not rob someone, or beat up an old lady for her purse. because they are flopping around on the ground like a fish. so they are not going to get their diazepam clinics because they don't cause so much crime that it makes it worth it to just give them their drug of choice.

Ok most of this was right until you got to benzos. Me my self and people I know who take xanax or whatever are very violent.

The withdrawls from benzos are way worse then any opiate could ever be. That's just a fact. Comming off benzos then taking them to the point where your just bairly avoiding a seizure is insaine.

I've experienced xanax withdrawl and no opiate stacks up with "feeling like your going to die". You might actually die...

 

[tokin']

Ok most of this was right until you got to benzos. Me my self and people I know who take xanax or whatever are very violent.

The withdrawls from benzos are way worse then any opiate could ever be. That's just a fact. Comming off benzos then taking them to the point where your just bairly avoiding a seizure is insaine.

I've experienced xanax withdrawl and no opiate stacks up with "feeling like your going to die". You might actually die...

Right, but as for withdrawal symptoms, you're not going to go rob someone or find any way, by any means necessary to get more benzos vs. getting more heroin.

Been there, done them both. Opiate addiction/withdrawal is a bitch and the Swiss get a ^5 from me.

 

[paranoid android]

so are they going to create clinics for pot smokers, meth addicts, cocaine/crack addicts, prescription pill addicts?... somewhere they can go in and get a government fix, to reduce the many similar problems associated with those drugs as well? maybe all swiss addicts should just switch to heroin so they can go to a clinic and get their fix legally.

As for pot smokers i don't think cannabis clinics are hardly needed. Some people do have a hard time giving up weed but lets face it the drug is nowhere addictive as heroin, meth or coke/crack. I smoked it for 10 years on and off and ive found cigarettes alot harder to quit.

The problem with coke/crack addicts is that the high is so damn short. What are you gonna have crack addicts coming back to the clinic every 10 minutes? I find that the crack rush starts to die down as soon as i blow the smoke out and the high is gone in 5 minutes tops. More like 2 minutes but whatever. Snorting coke lasts longer but still 20 minutes or so ain't much.

With benzos i guess you could maintain people on a benzo with a long half life like diazepam or clonazepam which would do. Users could pick up their benzos every week which ive already seen done with people i know.

Meth and Coke/Crack(freebase) addicts do have physical withdrawl symptoms, but IMO they aren't even close to the severity of Heroin's symptoms.

I would disagree with you about meth. While the symptoms of opiate withdrawal are indeed hell (ive been there often enough so i know) but i know people who used meth heavily and went through just as severe symptoms from meth withdrawl if not worse. While they may not have horrible diarrhea, be puking their guts up, stomach cramps that double you up and all the other symptoms you get with opiate withdrawal people coming off meth get horrible withdrawals. Psychosis that can last for a long time after youve kicked it, depression, suicidal behaviour, etc. So it's atleast as bad just different. Granted ive gotten suicidal and seriously depressed and manic coming off opiates but i have mental problems which make it worse. But im sure most people get those symptoms to some degree.

The swiss are definately going in the right direction with this. Hopefully the rest of the world will take notice. On the news i saw a day ago it said the swiss take a new approach to battling heroin addiction but this is not new. The british had a program like this up until the US put prsssure on them to shut it down didnt they?