The Wire

Chronic drug addicts in Switzerland will soon be part of a new treatment plan designed to slash crime rates and make life more bearable for users. 68% of Swiss voters have just backed a referendum which would allow legal, prescription heroin, administered by doctors Currently heroin cannot be prescribed in Australia, with the government preferring the heroin substitiute, Methadone, which is administered by special clinics and local pharmacies. A proposal for a heroin trial in Australia was put forward in the early 90’s, by Dr Alex Wodak from Sydney’s St Vincents Hospital.