Pubdate: Tue, 15 Mar 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: John Bermingham
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

FREE HEROIN OFFERED IN CITY

First On Continent

Vancouver heroin users have become the first in North America to be given 
free prescription heroin as part of a controversial drug trial which began 
yesterday.

The North American Opiate Medication Initiative (NAOMI) started treating 
just three drug-users, but will eventually recruit 157 people for the 
two-year study.

"Today, the treatment stage of the NAOMI study begins," said spokesman Jim 
Boothroyd. "The clinical trial is fully up and running."

"NAOMI is the first clinical trial in North America of prescribed medical 
heroin."

The participants will be split into two groups -- one receiving heroin, the 
other methadone -- to find out if heroin is better for addicts who've 
failed at methadone or abstinence.

The heroin users will attend the heavily-secured clinic at 84 West Hastings 
three times a day, seven days a week, to be given their fix in a 
safe-injection room.

"The site has the security requirements of Fort Knox," said Boothroyd. 
"There's very little heroin on the site, and the site is extremely secure."

Methadone users will come twice a day to drink their heroin substitute.

The participants get free drugs and medical care, but will only make $150 
over the trial by filling out a half-dozen questionnaires.

The synthetic heroin is made in Europe, and is stored in a secret location.

NAOMI's clinical head, Dr. David Marsh, said the heroin will be a measured 
dose, under nurse supervision.

"This will be the first time in Canadian history that physicians are 
prescribing heroin for the treatment of heroin dependence."

Kim Kerr, executive director of the Downtown Eastside Residents 
Association, said it's time to stop complaining about addiction, and start 
treating it.

"People who are addicted to heroin should be treated like anyone with a 
medical condition," he said.
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