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Should the controlled provision of heroin be a treatment option? Australian feasibility considerations
Author(s) -
HAMMER GABRIELE
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1993.tb02053.x
Subject(s) - heroin , heroin dependence , medicine , psychiatry , psychology , drug
A proposal for a trial to provide heroin to dependent users in a controlled manner is currently being considered in the Australian Capital Territory. The political background to this proposal is outlined, as is the current ‘drug scene’. A Stage 1 examination found that a trial of controlled provision of heroin is feasible in principle and recommended a further stage (Stage 2) of feasibility investigations to explore the practicalities. The results of the Stage 1 investigations and the proposals for Stage 2 are incorporated into discussion about three important issues: the feasibility research process, the therapeutic relationship, and social control. These considerations have wider applicability, both for treatment services for illegal drug users generally and for informing drug policy debates. Much can be learnt from the feasibility considerations, whether or not a trial of the controlled provision of heroin eventuates in Australia.