Is drug addiction a medical or criminal issue?

 

As far as drugs are concerned, the two biggest killers of people in Britain, are two perfectly legal drugs, called cigarettes and alcohol. Deaths arising from the use of illegal drugs, are small in comparison to deaths arising from the consumption of fags and booze.

Personally, I wouldn't want a heroin habit or to be hooked on freebasing. I think drug addiction should be treated as a medical issue rather than a criminal issue. If someone is downing two bottles of whisky a day, the police don't come and kick their front door in.

There was a time when opioids were available to drug addicts on prescription. The 1926 Rolleston Report, defined drug addiction as an illness, and therefore the responsibility of doctor's, who could prescribe opioids to patients.

We already prescribe methadone to drug users and dispense drug paraphernalia to users at recognised clinics. There are also supervised injection sites. Most people will be unaware of this, but it's all done in the name of harm reduction.

Treating drug addiction as a medical issue, would help to eliminate the drug pusher, reduce crime, and would save money in the long run. In addition, treatment to help people to get off drugs, should also be made available.