Vancouver is one the three sites in Canada to try a government-supported drug program. This program, unlike others, is aimed to push drugs rather than to eliminate them. Their plan is to offer medically administered drugs to people that will show up three times a week for the dose. In doing so, addicts will not have to go to desperate measures to get their drugs (e.g. theft, blackmarket, murder, etc.). They also hope that they may have the opportunity to help some addicts to clean up. There are mixed reviews from the drug using community:
“Some think it’s the government’s way of killing them, while others say they can’t wait for the free dope.”
I guess either way it isn’t such a bad thing. I mean, the drugs will eventually kill you anyway. Why not make it easier and cheaper in the mean time? No reports yet on when heroin will be available in elementary school vending machines.
I believe this program is working in Great Britain. Addicts are registered with the state. I don’t know if it is still in force, but it was in the 70’s and 80’s. It did decrease hepatitis B and HIV transmission.