Heroin addicts to get drug for free

[Nilly_Chipples]

Source:TheStar.com (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?GXHC_gx_session_id_=6b2291785be307ae&pagename=thestar/Render&c=Page&cid=968332188492)




Heroin addicts to get drug for free
Study to examine health and crime
Methadone to be offered after year


ELAINE CAREY
MEDICAL REPORTER

A small group of heroin addicts in Toronto will be given the drug for free for a year as part of a controversial study — the first of its kind in North America — set to begin next year.

Addicts will be able to get the drug and inject it three times a day at an office of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, near Spadina Ave. and College St., as part of an $8 million federally funded trial to see whether it improves their health and cuts crime.





Read More (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1066774208594&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154)

[Nilly_Chipples]

an $8 million federally funded trial





Ummmmmm HELLO?????????:eek:

[jason_71654]

Based on reading further into the article

Are they also going to be giving people who have attempted suicide twice and failed (as is the necessary conditions for being in the new treatment program) free "clean" guns and ammunition?

Sorry to be so cynical about this--I know it is a serious issue--but it almost seems ridiculous. I had hoped that "thestar.com" was going to link me to that tabloid "The Star." Instead it is a legitimate newspaper which makes me worry even more about the idea. I certainly agree with the ideas behind it (i.e., not sending the addicts to America and developing new treatment in Canada); however, I'm also opposed to just giving them the thing that they seem to be so addicted to.

As much as I want to say it, we can't just blame Canada; they're not the first to try this idea. I suppose that if other organizations have legitimate claims to people who have successfully recovered, I'm certainly not in the position to tell them that they're wrong.

[-pin-]

methadone causes more problems than it solves. i hope these trials of real drugs will prove more successful. i am keeping an eye on the netherlands to see how it's going there.

[c0lin]

Addicts will be able to get the drug and inject it three times a day at an office of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, near Spadina Ave. and College St., as part of an $8 million federally funded trial to see whether it improves their health and cuts crime.

how do they work this one out :?:

what a waste of money...

[-pin-]

it works like this:

getting drugs on the street, needles, etc, causes several other problems. for example, used needles can transmit HIV, also street drugs are often not as pure. when the drugs are in the hands of pushers, we get higher crime rates because the addicts will do anything for enough cash to get a fix, which includes theft, robbery, and prostitution.

the gov't giving the drugs affects several of those problems. they can control the distribution so that overdoses are not as common. and getting them into the office gives addicts a fighting chance to get some help, which is not as easy when you're on the streets with no one even knowing you exist.

[Nilly_Chipples]

well here is my 2 cents on this matter , #1 whether we give drug addicts a 'more stable' enviroment to do what they will.....we will always have crime. Even if drugs were legal criminals would find a way to do something to make it a challenge .#2 I do not see the point of spending $$$$$ that could very easily go to feeding helpless people, rather than give the more likely not helpless to get a high. Many addicts are able to work and choose not to due to an urge to get this high while there are millions of elderly and children( some most definately these addicts kids) who continue to starve each and every day.





I think this sucks all the way around. :(

[SkittlesGoddess]

What concerns ME about this (besides the obvious) is that it's being done at a place, as I believe the article says, at College & Spadina, which is one of the four corners of the U of T campus. I'm just hoping not to have people who just got their dose running around campus, or more accurately, running into ME on campus :/

[Nilly_Chipples]

what a very good point SG.:eek:

[drwtwn312]

I can't believe they are going to spend 8 million on this, I'm sure they have better things they could have spent this on. But i'm sure those heroin addicts are quite happy

[FrYGuY]

Originally posted by lil_amb
well here is my 2 cents on this matter , #1 whether we give drug addicts a 'more stable' enviroment to do what they will.....we will always have crime. Even if drugs were legal criminals would find a way to do something to make it a challenge
The 'War on Drugs' is painfully reminicent of Prohibition. The fact that it was illegal means that (Obvious point) it will be untaxable and distributed by criminals and (Subtle Point) More concentrated, making the effects for those that use the drugs that much worse (More concentrated because they're easier to smuggle... Crack Cocaine was formulated for that purpose).

The organized crime which runs the drug smuggling is the main source of problems assiciated with drugs currently. If you legalized it, much like after the repeal of prohibition, the drug cartels would have no source of income. After all, legal businesses would take over (and legal businesses pay taxes!). Plus, if you legalized them, you could regulate the drugs so they would no longer be as concentrated, meaning instead of Cocaine, you'd have Coca Leaf Tea and such.

That being said, I think it's idiotic to give away Heroin while it's still illegal. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[philgorp]

they should give them a pistol and A bullet

[jason_71654]

That's a great idea, the only problem is that when they have a bullet, they're still a threat to anyone nearby as long as they have than one bullet.

If you're wanting to insure their death, then just get a firing squad.

[liz_lochley]

Originally posted by jason_71654
That's a great idea, the only problem is that when they have a bullet, they're still a threat to anyone nearby as long as they have than one bullet.

If you're wanting to insure their death, then just get a firing squad.

The firing squads should be reserved for cigarette smokers who expose children and non-smokers to second-hand smoke.

[Roadblock]

Easy does it folks, we are no ones judges or executioners here at UTC. ;)

(All except the RIAA/MPAA's :hammered: lol)

[philgorp]

whatsa matter RB you a smoker

[Roadblock]

Yes, I happen to be, but that isn't the point. Everyone has a right to their opinion, I just don't want UTC to become a battle ground for those volitile type political issues. We do this for fun, and this thread is starting to take on a "not-so-fun" attitude.

There are other websites that cater to that type of discussion, but we ain't it.

N'uff said?

[-pin-]

all political issues can turn into "battlegrounds". this is the nature of politics because most people will get their button pushed about one matter or the other. perhaps then there should be no topic allowed that could be interpreted as political? this would make it easier for me because i just can't always predict when to respond and when not to.

what do you think? i'm confused. =)

[philgorp]

its all lil ambers fault :D

[Roadblock]

-pin-, you hit the nail right on the head. That is exactly what I was talking about. I would prefer not to come across as being heavy handed, but I would prefer that any and all political discussions take place elsewhere. The problem is, it is a fine line to walk to let folks express themselves, and not let things spiral down out of control. That is the very reason I don't like seeing political discussions take place here, because someone always winds up offended. I would prefer that UTC remain a place where people come to have fun, teach and learn about digital media, and general computing. There is enough devisiveness in our world as it is, without UTC contributing to it. That being said, there is no rule as such, pertaining to what topics are considered too political or volitile to discuss here, but we all need an escape or haven from those kinds of subjects at times. Hopefully, everyone will help us to keep UTC that kind of place. :)

[Nilly_Chipples]

Hey Hey Hey....... I was just posting news.....and my opinion. I agree w/ RB though, we don't wanna push anyones BAD buttons on any kind of subjects here .


Make love not war




:lilangel:





he he he , sorry.