The Next Fix

The Independent reports the British government is considering "a radical scheme to vaccinate children against future drug addiction." A Labour Party M.P. told the paper "there is no reason to think this would not be a starter or beneficial."

Several companies, including the U.K.-based Xenova and the U.S.-based Nabi Biopharmaceuticals, are working on "vaccines" that stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that bind with drug molecules, making them too large to pass the blood-brain barrier and thereby neutralizing their psychoactive effects. Nabi's nicotine binder, NicVAX, is in Phase II clinical trials and probably will be marketed initially to smokers trying to quit.

But the appeal to parents won't be far behind, and drug warriors are excited about molecule binders for illegal substances. Such "vaccines" could be forced upon drug offenders or, as the Independent suggests, administered to children. While many anxious parents probably could be persuaded to "protect" their kids, the story insinuates that the U.K. could make anti-drug "vaccination" mandatory, saying "the scheme could operate in a similar way to the current nationwide measles, mumps and rubella vaccination program."

The chairman of the House of Commons Health Committee told the Independent "this could have a huge impact on society in terms of preventing damage to others and dealing with addicts." He added that "the ethical perspective does need to be looked at closely"--which would be an unprecedented development in the war on drugs.

Having failed to keep politically incorrect substances out of our bodies, the drug warriors are taking the battle to our bloodstreams. The Center for Cognitive Liberty & Ethics explored some of the implications in a report published last month.