Source: Toronto Star
Page: A24
Contact: LetterToEd@thestar.com

Dutch test to offer addicts free heroin

THE HAGUE, Netherlands The Dutch government said yesterday it would
begin offering free heroin to addicts in a smallscale trial, starting next
year.

The aim is to wean addicts off the streets and away from criminal behavior.

Health Minister Els Borst had wanted the trial to involve offering heroin
to some 750 heroin addicts but opposition from the Liberal Party, a partner
in the Dutch government coalition, scaled down the sample to between 50 and
100.