Swiss approve heroin program
Voters reject marijuana measure

By The Associated Press
Published: December 1, 2008

BERN, Switzerland — A pioneering Swiss program to give addicts government-authorized heroin was overwhelmingly approved Sunday by voters who simultaneously rejected the decriminalization of marijuana.

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Sixty-eight percent of voters approved making the heroin program permanent.

It has been credited with reducing crime and improving the health and daily lives of addicts since it began 14 years ago.

Only 36.8 percent of voters favored the marijuana initiative.

Olivier Borer, 35, a musician from the northern town of Solothurn, said he welcomed the outcome in part because state action was required to help heroin addicts but legalizing marijuana was a bad idea.

Parliament approved the heroin measure in a revision of Switzerland’s narcotics law last March, but conservatives challenged the decision and forced a national referendum .


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Related Topics: Health and Fitness, Illegal Drugs, Marijuana, Politics, Entertainment, Music, Elections and Voting, Mental Health, Drug Addiction, Addiction and Recovery, Heroin, Referenda


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John Methadone kills more Oklahomans than any drug out there each year.
Mark, Guthrie - Dec 12, 2008 at 12:46 pm
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The only thing positive I will say about insurance companies is that, no, they would never support or pay for such idiocy.
Sallie, Del City - Dec 8, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Mark, a quote from the article above "It has been credited with reducing crime and improving the health and daily lives of addicts since it began 14 years ago." It appears to this observer that the program has merit, regardless of whether or not the dog will hunt. attitude. We should be so lucky as to have the insurance companies removed from the health care equation.
John, Norman - Dec 8, 2008 at 6:19 pm
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Sorry, should have been socialized medical care.
Sallie, Del City - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:55 pm
We will have socialized medical very soon. Perhaps we can start these types of clinics in the near future. Lucky taxpayers we will be. pppffffttt
Sallie, Del City - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Methadone Clinics I understand This I do not. Unless they are trying to off their addicts. Maybe that is it! They just got tired of messing with them and decided to let them kill them self slowly with herion, because that is what is going to happen, take it from someone in recovery now for 7 years...that program isn't going to work...as we say here in the south...that dog don't hunt! that plane ain't gonna get off the ground....but it will put people under the ground...about 6 foot under!!! They are taking a huge risk there, I am glad its there instead of here...of course Oklahoma would never let that even be considered that would have been ...Nipped in the bud!!!
Mark, Guthrie - Dec 8, 2008 at 5:48 pm
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