The Dutch government is to start giving heroin to addicts. The controversial move follows a three-year study of 549 addicts by the Central Committee on the Treatment of Heroin Addicts. They found that patients on a combination of methadone and heroin were less likely to die, committed less crime, used less cocaine and were in better physical, social and mental shape than those given methadone alone (see 鈥淔ixed up鈥). They hope that the move will help the country鈥檚 8000 or so heroin addicts who鈥檝e failed to kick their habit on a methadone programme.
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