British Prisons Help Addicts Relapse Before Re-Entering Society

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.

It was better when....

[Upaut]

It was better when any addict could get a prescription for the drug itself, at an insanely low cost. You can be "very" functional on opiates, so long as you keep it up. Now that was state sponsored drug dealing.... Low, pure heroin with a prescription if you are an addict; and to be an addict you just had to tell your doctor you were.

Violent drug dealers could not compete, and went to other organized crimes. Crime rate was much lower because the addicts could afford their fixes, and a failed drug test could be said "I have a prescription" and keep their job.

To lament better days before the US forced Britain to adopt its "methods".

Re:Solution in search of a problem

[Anonymous Coward]

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

The process is fully optimized and is the correct one. The key lies in step 3: "Former inmate chooses to begin using again, despite the fact he/she kicked the habit months or years ago". People make their own choices and sometimes these choices have consequences, in this case they know the risk they face and they willingly choose to use anyway. It is a tragedy but this person was already given help in kicking the habit via the prison sentence and had the opportunity to remain clean, that was one of their options. Personal responsibility is an important aspect of life and part of that responsibility is dealing with the consequences of your own actions.