Addicts given free drugs as reward for staying clean

UK: I don't think some of these place grasp the concept of staying clean.

Heroin and cocaine addicts on state-funded treatment schemes are being given drugs as a reward for staying 'clean', a report has revealed. The astonishing practice was condemned by ministers and health chiefs yesterday. They said it was "unethical and unacceptable" for substitute drugs - which are meant to help addicts overcome cravings - to be offered as a reward or withheld as a punishment. Research into U.S. schemes shows that offering shopping coupons worth just a few pounds can have a marked effect in encouraging addicts to continue in treatment. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) issued guidelines earlier this year supporting similar measures in the UK. But when the NTA carried out a survey of current practice, the findings proved a massive embarrassment. Of the 200 clinics surveyed, many were simply handing out tokens such as travel tickets or leisure passes as rewards. But one in three said they would offer "increased doses of opiate substitute" such as methadone if an addict gave drug-free urine samples. A quarter admitted that cocaine addicts were rewarded by being allowed to choose their own substitute drugs. A small number of clinics would even consider giving out diamorphine - the prescription form of heroin. Other "incentives" included being allowed to take substitute drugs at home instead of in a clinic.