From: shibuya@bl.applicon.slb.com (Hiroto Shibuya)
Subject: Fight against drug -- British way
Reply-To: shibuya@bl.applicon.slb.com
Organization: Applicon; Billerica, MA (USA)
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 04:07:50 GMT

I was very fascinated by a report in 60 minutes (CBS News Documentary
Program) last night, which was about the tactics that British
government is employing to fight drug problem in England.

It is basically a controlled legalization of drugs (heroin, cocaine,
etc..)  If you are officially diagnosed as drug addict, you can
receive prescription for these drug, and you can go to ordinary drug
store (I'm curious but I didn't catch how widely it is available) and
buy these drugs at very affordable price.  To maintain the
prescription, the patient have to have regular interviews for doctor
to check that he/she is healthy, not engaged in criminal activity, and
do urine test to make sure that prescribed drug is used.

According to a doctor, many of the health problem associated with
drugs usage are caused by impure drugs, and these legal drugs of high
quality, provided with clean needles is less risky for patient, and
addiction itself hardly kill the patient.  They are also instructed
for safer way of injecting drug when they are affected by drug.  Of
course you have choice of buying cocaine cigarette.

One drug addict mother commented that she is no different from
diabetics.  She have to inject the substance which her body need.

British authority is claiming that this program is greatly reducing
drug related crimes.  One direct effect of the program is to prevent
drug addict to become dealers so they can finance their addiction.
Although with some restrictions, they would rather prefer affordable
and legal drug, without being criminal.

An American reporter asked doctors if they have any moral problem with
being official drug dealers.  British doctors all seems to be
comfortable with their rationals.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

It was interesting to me that reporter didn't ask themselves the
natural question, does this work in US?  There were no single
reference to US of A through out that report.  It is difficult for me
to tell if they were reporting this as some exotic policy in the
foreign land, or seriously providing as a material for an alternative
here.

Drug legalization always sounded to me as attractive option for
reducing drugs related crimes, but at the same time, realized as
fantasy considering the unpredictable shift of addict population.

This report gave me impression that British government managed to
realized legal drugs as well controlled mechanism, and effectively
reducing the drug problem in relatively cost effective manner.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I'm no expert in this area and I don't want to argue about all the
details.  After all, it was a very short report on TV, leaving me with
only sketchy impressions.

I would like to hear from natives that how this is accepted by general
British public, and if it is really working well as these doctors
claim.  I also appreciate if somebody could guide me to any written
material about this program, preferably something available in US
without too much difficulty.

And I like to ask American people, do you think this can work in US? 
(not the details but the basic concept of it).
--
					Hiroto Shibuya
			
					Applicon Inc.
					Billerica, MA
					U.S.A.

P.S.  I haven't been a regular subscriber to s.c.u, so my apology if
drug legalization was discussed heavily in the past.