Swiss voters have approved a radical health policy that offers prescription heroin to addicts on a permanent basis.
Final results from the national referendum showed 68% of voters supported the plan.
The scheme, allowing addicts to inject the drug under medical supervision at a clinic, began in Zurich 14 years ago before spreading across the country.
But in another referendum vote, 63% of voters rejected the decriminalisation of cannabis. E SF
The heroin vote was one of a series of referendums held to decide policy on illegal drugs.
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Under the scheme, addicts visit clinics up to twice a day, where they inject the drug under medical supervision. They can also be treated for other medical issues or mental health problems, out correspondent says.
The policy is described as one of last resort - prescribing addicts with the very drug that caused their problems in the first place - but supporters say it works, and Swiss voters appear to have agreed, the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Berne says.
Switzerland will be the first country to include it in government policy.
Supporters say it has had positive results - getting long-term addicts out of Switzerland's once notorious "needle parks" and reducing drug-related crime."
haha you would think one of the prettyest safest countrues in the world wouldnt be chocked full of heroin addicts. but this sure will bankrupt the heroin dealers, and broke heroin dealers wont be able to buy guns or even have a reason to, because they cant compete, so i guess its pretty reasonable.
also funny to me is that out of european countries only iceland italy spain and greece ban the sale of over the counter opiates. iceland has defaulted, italy and spain are in danger of defaulting, and greece wiill eventually default in my opinion. germany, the netherlands and the uk also have heroin assisted treatment in place, and germany and the netherlands are going to be footing most of the bill for greeces bailout! haha http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codeine
ron paul seems to know whats up apparently
