Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 2005 Source: Herald, The (UK) Copyright: 2005 The Herald Contact: http://www.theherald.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/189 Author: Lucy Adams Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?131 (Heroin Maintenance) PRESCRIPTION URGED TO PREVENT ADDICT ILLNESS SCOTLAND'S most senior police officers were told yesterday that prescribing heroin may be safer for some addicts. Speaking at the annual drugs conference of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), Professor Avril Taylor, of Paisley University, suggested that heroin prescribing and different methadone doses might help users avoid contracting diseases such as hepatitis C. Her comments were based on studies of Glasgow drug injectors, of whom nearly half are thought to have the disease. The conference focused on heroin treatment and trafficking following news that a large consignment of the crop has been produced in Afghanistan. Britain's top police officer, meanwhile, backed controversial comments by a Home Office minister over the disproportionate targeting of Muslims under stop and search powers. Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, said Hazel Blears had been right to say Muslims were more likely to be stopped and searched by police, despite an angry backlash from Muslim leaders. David Strang, president of Acpos, said in Scotland, they would not be stopped and searched more than others. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom