Low Interest in Heroin Prescription - Eurad

Addicts say no

The heroin assisted treatment program (HAT) cannot find enough candidates and operates at only 25% capacity. 75% of the treatment places remain empty after 10 months. The addicts cannot seem to be persuaded into treatment despite the free heroin.

At the same time, the number of overdose deaths in Denmark is at a record high. The number of addict deaths increased by 13% in one year alone, going from 239 in 2008 to 276 in 2009.

Read more here:  Drug Use Soars in Denmark

The Danish Parliament decided to allow heroin assisted treatment after a heated political debate. Trail projects were introduced in Copenhagen in March 2010. Experts and pressure groups claimed at the time that this was the best way, and perhaps the only way, to help the most vulnerable heroin addicts.

Ten months into the program,the majority of the target groups for treatment are still on the streets seeking illegal drugs and suffering a poor quality of life.

New Drug Strategy

The drug problems in Denmark are severe compared to the other Nordic countries. There are an estimated 33.000 drug addicts (problem drug users) in a country with a population of 5 million.

The government launched a 19 point policy for supply-reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation in 2010 in an attempt to reduce the dire statistics. The program includes more outreach programs, treatment programs in prison and focus on mental health issues. Read more.

The issue of injection rooms has been raised, but Minister of Justice, Lars Barfoed, is adamant that this would be a mistake.

- That would be in conflict with our overall policy. It is immoral to aid the injection of drugs, says Barfoed.

Whether or not heroin assisted treatment will continue to be a part of Danish drug policy remains to be seen. The new government initiative suggests that authorities in Denmark believe that other measures must be taken in order to effectively address the disturbing increase in problem drug use.