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British Prisons Help Addicts Relapse Before Re-Entering Society

Posted by samzenpus on from the back-on-the-horse dept.

A new government "retoxification" program is helping formerly drug-addicted inmates get hooked back on drugs before being released to help avoid accidental overdoses. From the article: "Thirty-three prisons across England offer highly addictive heroin substitutes like methadone to inmates, even if their sentences mean they are effectively drug-free at the time of their release. Supporters claim it gets former addicts' bodies used to drugs again by building up tolerance and slashing the risk of overdose deaths. Critics blast it as 'state-sponsored' drug dealing." I'm surprised they don't give robbers a complimentary get-away car upon release to help alleviate future auto thefts.

4 of 44 comments (clear)

  1. Solution in search of a problem by oldspewey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I'm having difficulty understanding where the following process requires intervention or is not already fully optimized:

    1) Inmate kicks his/her addiction after a lengthy prison sentence
    2) Drug-free inmate is released for re-integration into society
    3) Former inmate chooses to begin using again, despite the fact he/she kicked the habit months or years ago
    4) Former inmate dies from an overdose
    5) "Last chance" used up. Former inmate will never trouble anyone again

    --
    If libertarians are so opposed to effective government, why don't they all move to Somalia?
    1. Re:Solution in search of a problem by Kell+Bengal · · Score: 3, Insightful

      The media has never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.

      --
      Scientists point out problems, engineers fix them
      altslashdot.org: The future of slashdot.
    2. Re:Solution in search of a problem by Nutria · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Every premature loss of life is a tragedy

      I'm getting nauseated just reading this brainless drivel.

      There are a lot of people for whom death before their statistically-expected lifespan is a benefit to society.

      Anyway, the word tragedy used to have an emotional impact, but now it's tossed around like candy, losing all meaning.

      --
      "I don't know, therefore Aliens" Wafflebox1
  2. Re:It was better when.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    and a failed drug test could be said "I have a prescription" and keep their job.

    that no longer works. [newsvine.com]

    That's America, and Walmart, where you can discriminate against people based on a corporation's own perverted version of morality.

    In the end, it's the neo-conservativism of Corporatism which will always and inevitably win out over logic and rationality. Nice guys always loose, and intelligent people always get the books knocked out of their hands.