This paper overviews current trends in policy and clinical practice in prescribing heroin to opiate-dependent drug users in the United Kingdom. Whilst heroin prescribing is undertaken on a relatively small scale, it has been the source of much discussion in the drug policy arena and interest in heroin prescribing has recently increased. The reasons for this renewed interest are described and set against previous and current prescribing policy. The extent and nature of current prescribing practice is described, together with the proposed rationales for the value of heroin prescribing put forward by supporters of this treatment approach. The problems and difficulties of heroin prescribing are highlighted. The paper recognises the lack of research-based evidence for these claims and suggests that the value of heroin prescribing needs to be viewed within the wider context in which treatments are delivered.

Keywords:
Heroin prescribing, Heroin injecting, Opiate dependence, United Kingdom
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© 1996 S. Karger AG, Basel
1996
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