NCJ Number
170890
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1997) Pages: 424-429
Date Published
1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Switzerland experienced a serious drug problem, highlighted by the famous needle parks in major cities; in response to the drug problem and to prevent more displacement of drug addicts to other urban areas, the Swiss government decided to substantially expand methadone programs in 1992 and to try new substitution programs with opiates.
Abstract
The heroin prescription program is based on small-scale specialized clinics. No center has responsibility for more than 150 addicts, clients have to inject their daily dosage on the spot and under supervision, and the dosage is fixed according to individual needs. Clinics offer a wide range of social support services, including medical and psychiatric care. In order to eligible for admission to the heroin prescription program, the following conditions have to be met: daily consumption of heroin for at least 2 years, at least two failures in conventional therapy programs, minimum age of 20 years, obvious signs of physical or psychological disorders, and no likely chance of rehabilitation through other forms of treatment. The heroin prescription program was compared using client data before and after admission to the program, and data analysis considered the importance of drugs in explaining crime. Results for 248 subjects who responded to the first questionnaire and completed follow-up interviews showed a dramatic reduction in offense prevalence and individual offending rates, particularly in connection with theft and drug offenses. No significant change was observed in connection with assault. Although victimization and self-reported delinquency data suggested a substantial decline in criminal involvement, the extent to which this change can reduce the link between drugs and crime requires further study. 10 references, 2 notes, and 2 tables