'Mps To Back Blunkett On Prescription Heroin'

[bongme]

hi

Ananova

Sunday May 19, 2002

MPs will this week reportedly back Home Secretary David Blunkett's call for more addicts to be prescribed heroin.

Mr Blunkett said more of those dependent on drugs should get them on prescription if it meant they would agree to treatment back in October.

His view will be endorsed by the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee when it issues its long-awaited report into the drugs problem, according to The Observer.

The MPs will also propose the use of controversial "safe injecting areas", such as those seen in some continental countries, the paper says.

A Home Office spokeswoman said proposals to make greater use of diamorphine so-called "medical heroin" - were nothing new.

"The Home Secretary's position has not changed since October when he said that doctors should prescribe more drugs if that is a way to bring addicts in for treatment," she said.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Heroin is not available on the NHS. There are no plans for it to be available on the NHS.

"Diamorphine is currently available to a very small number of drug users prescribed by specialist GPs and we don't have any plans to change that."

Bongme on holiday