Lesson From Britain on Drug Policy

* This letter is in response to your news item about botulism in Mexican “black tar” heroin on Oct. 5.

It is clear that our present drug policies are creating a public health crisis for both addicts and the population at large. Britain is one of several countries where heroin addicts can legally obtain maintenance doses of pure, pharmaceutical-grade heroin. With few exceptions, these addicts lead normal, productive, healthy lives. The black market trade in heroin has all but disappeared around these heroin maintenance clinics, and correspondingly the rate of drug abuse is declining in these areas.

In striking contrast, America’s “solution” of outright prohibition has allowed a profitable black market in heroin to flourish and expand without hindrance. Unlike their British counterparts, American heroin addicts are plagued by disease and forced into lives of crime and prostitution to support this habit.

There would be no problem with botulism, AIDS, hepatitis, poisonings and overdoses among heroin users if we implemented sensible measures like needle exchanges and heroin maintenance programs. Furthermore, the criminal empires of the drug pushers would dissolve for lack of paying customers; dealers could no longer earn a living by steering kids and adults into lives of drug addiction.

Heroin maintenance does not equate to endorsement of drug use. In fact, it allows us to get drug abuse under control and put drug pushers out of business by eliminating their profits.

DAVID PLETCHER

Simi Valley