Call for addicts to receive heroin

Published on Tuesday 15 September 2009 22:03

A DRUGS expert yesterday called for a scheme where addicts are given heroin to be trialled in Scotland.

David Liddell, the director of the Scottish Drugs Forum, said the move could help the "Trainspotting generation" of problem drug users.

He spoke out after the results of a pilot programme in England reportedly showed giving addicts heroin in supervised clinics reduced their use of illegally purchased drugs and also reduced crime. Mr Liddell said there was now "overwhelming" evidence in favour of having such a project. He told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "We've been very supportive of seeing a Scottish pilot.

"What we're talking about is a very targeted heroin prescribing programme for a very small number of the 50,000 problem drug users who have failed to engage in existing treatment over many years.

"And potentially with this group, you might describe them as the Trainspotting generation, who are actually facing death if they are not provided with appropriate treatment."