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Swiss approve prescription heroin Swiss approve prescription heroin
(10 minutes later)
Swiss voters have backed a change in health policy that would provide prescription heroin to addicts.Swiss voters have backed a change in health policy that would provide prescription heroin to addicts.
Final results from the national referendum showed 68% of voters supported the plan.Final results from the national referendum showed 68% of voters supported the plan.
But in another referendum, the Swiss appear to have rejected the decriminalisation of cannabis.
The scheme, where addicts inject the drug under medical supervision at a clinic, began in Zurich 14 years ago before spreading across the country.The scheme, where addicts inject the drug under medical supervision at a clinic, began in Zurich 14 years ago before spreading across the country.
The vote was one of a series of referendums held to decide policy on illegal drugs. But in another referendum, the Swiss appear to have rejected the decriminalisation of cannabis.
The heroin vote was one of a series of referendums held to decide policy on illegal drugs.
SWISS HEROIN PROGRAMME Running since 1994Used by 1,300 addictsIncludes 23 centres nationwideAlso offers psychiatric counseling Radical Swiss planSWISS HEROIN PROGRAMME Running since 1994Used by 1,300 addictsIncludes 23 centres nationwideAlso offers psychiatric counseling Radical Swiss plan
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.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 would be the first country to include it in government policy.Switzerland would 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.Supporters say it has had positive results - getting long-term addicts out of Switzerland's once notorious "needle parks" and reducing drug-related crime.
Opponents say heroin prescription sends the wrong message to young people and harms the addicts themselves.Opponents say heroin prescription sends the wrong message to young people and harms the addicts themselves.
Opinion polls prior to the vote suggested the Swiss - pleased that their streets are now free of addicts and used syringes - were likely to approve heroin prescription. Cannabis questions
On cannabis things are less clear - Swiss police regularly turn a blind eye to moderate cannabis use. 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.
On cannabis things were less clear - Swiss police regularly turn a blind eye to moderate cannabis use.
But recent studies suggesting that long-term use of the drug may be more harmful than previously thought looked likely to encourage a "No" to decriminalisation.But recent studies suggesting that long-term use of the drug may be more harmful than previously thought looked likely to encourage a "No" to decriminalisation.
Early results showed only 36.8% of those voting supported decriminalising cannabis, the Associated Press (AP) news agency said.