Norway to give free heroin to 400 addicts: report
Norway's government is to start providing free heroin to up to 400 hardened addicts as it pushes forward with its drug policy reforms
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Health Minister Bent Høie has asked the Norwegian Directorate of Health to draw up a list of which addicts were most suitable to receive so-called "heroin-assisted treatment", and to assess the economic consequences of developing a heroin treatment program. "We want to help those addicted who are difficult to reach, those who are not part of LAR (drug-assisted rehabilitation) and who are difficult to treat," he said. Høie signaled that he would look into the possibility of introducing heroin-assisted treatment (HAB) attempts back in January. The pilot project will start in 2020 or 2021, with local governments in both Oslo and Bergen reportedly applying to take part. (See also: Christian Democrats attack free heroin plan | Is Norway set to spark a drug policy revolution?)
