Most dependent users commit crime, prostitution or trafficking to earn money to support their addiction. They choose not to come into contact with treatment or counselling services. In many cities in Germany, Holland and Switzerland, safe injecting houses have been operating for up to 10 years. Death rates have fallen by five to 10-fold in these cities. In most facilities, there has not been a single overdose death.
Users come into contact with professional services and some, in time, choose treatment.
The Swiss nation held a referendum on 12June this year. They decided, by a large majority, to make heroin available on medical prescription to dependent users with the expressed intention of taking the trade out of the hands of criminals and freeing society from the associated crime. Although we are not yet ready to take that step, provision of safe injecting facilities for dependent users under appropriate medical supervision is a very necessary first step.