Calls for heroin to be prescribed on the NHS

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by Change | 27 Apr 2010

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A leading nursing expert has called for heroin to be made available to addicts on the NHS.

Individuals in need of heroin addiction support should be prescribed the drug on the NHS as this would help reduce drug-related crime.

This is the suggestion of Peter Carter, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, who believes that such a measure would help people addicted to heroin as well as reducing the number of used needles left in public places.

Mr Carter's recommendation comes after a successful pilot scheme in Brighton, Darlington and London. Some 127 patients were involved and it was found that crime rates fell by two-thirds when hardened addicts who were given heroin for free.

Explaining that it might "take a few years" for the plans to come to fruition, Mr Carter said there is a need for "proper prescribing services", which he believes will form the first stage of heroin addiction treatment.

"Critics say you are encouraging drug addiction but the reality is that these people are addicts and they are going to do it anyway," he commented.

Mr Carter also suggested the setting up of designated rooms for addicts, where affected people could inject themselves safely and in private.

Heroin is the main drug in the UK for which people receive drug addiction treatment. According to the NHS, 64 per cent of individuals receiving drug addiction treatment in 2005-06 were doing so because of heroin.

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