SHOULD THE CONTROLLED PROVISION OF HEROIN BE A TREATMENT OPTION - AUSTRALIAN FEASIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

A proposal for a trial to provide heroin to dependent users in a contr olled manner is currently being considered in the Australian Capital T erritory. The political background to this proposal is outlined, as is the current 'drug scene'. A Stage 1 examination found that a trial of controlled provision of heroin is feasible in principle and recommend ed a further stage (Stage 2) of feasibility investigations to explore the practicalities. The results of the Stage 1 investigations and the proposals for Stage 2 are incorporated into discussion about three imp ortant issues: the feasibility research process, the therapeutic relat ionship, and social control. These considerations have wider applicabi lity, both for treatment services for illegal drug users generally and for informing drug policy debates. Much can be learnt from the feasib ility considerations, whether or not a trial of the controlled provisi on of heroin eventuates in Australia.