Thursday, August 20, 2009

Heroism

Mr. Edroso:
Well, it's about time. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine based on research conducted by (natch) Canadians suggests that the best way to treat heroin addicts is... prescriptions for heroin.

13 comments:

mikey said...

But see, your basic judeo-christian ethic prevents the implementation of any common sense drug policy.

Remember the motto, printed in large germanic gilt letters across page xii of the Gutenberg bible:

At any given time, someone, somewhere is trying to do something that feels good. This must be prevented at all costs, even that of their worthless lives...

Substance McGravitas said...

The first comment at Edroso's post is a funny example of kneejerk anti-corporatism: you shouldn't do it because pharmaceutical companies will profit.

herr doktor bimler said...

My reinvented wheel -- let me show you it.

you shouldn't do it because pharmaceutical companies will profit.
Poppy. Razor-blade. Latex. Purifying. I see no role for the pharma company here.

According to Capcha, the patent on apsparin has expired, so now I can get cheap generic ointment for that troublesome groin infection.

Substance McGravitas said...

Poppy. Razor-blade. Latex. Purifying. I see no role for the pharma company here.

I believe we already have such systems in place.

Rusty Shackleblart said...

Ron White on medicinal marijuana:

"They asked me what symptoms I had that medicinal marijuana would help. I told 'em it really bums me out when I run out of pot, and that marijuana cures that."

herr doktor bimler said...

It should come as no surprise that Ben Goldacre has some useful background information on heroin prescription, or that nothing has changed in the 11 years since he wrote it.

Another Kiwi said...

Mr. Goldacre is the man alright.
Myself, I think that the less legitimate sellers of heroin might be the ones to really look out for. There is some mighty big chunks of cash involved and they do not take kindly to gubbermint interactions.

Capch warns of high levels of dions.

M. Bouffant said...

Hasn't it been working fairly well in Merrie Olde England for a few yrs.? Like, 50 or so?

The orange plastic needle caps literally covering the floor of the Picadilly Circus tube station's men's loo (closest stop to the 24-hr. chemist's) may have been an unintended consequence.

fish said...

There is some mighty big chunks of cash involved

As soon as you legalize it, the big money vanishes. Market forces and all that.

mikey said...

Yeah.

It's certainly worked that way for prescription drugs...

Substance McGravitas said...

Well, the patent on smack must have expired by now. As far as prescription drugs go I can find an interesting variety pretty cheap at the dives in the wrong part of town...

M. Bouffant said...

What, then, can you find in the right part of town?

You may not be doing it correctly.

herr doktor bimler said...

What, then, can you find in the right part of town?
Lazarus, obviously.