Heroin Heresy

A study of 126 Glaswegian heroin users finds that it doesn't always completely ruin their lives; researcher David Shewan notes that

"The important thing about the study is that it shows while there are heroin users with problems, there are also heroin users without problems.

"These people are mostly ordinary people - they are not the Keith Richards of the world….Drug research should incorporate this previously hidden population to more fully inform theory and practice"

Unsurprisingly, "The research was condemned by drug addiction organisations. Alistair Ramsay of Scotland Against Drugs warned that the findings could portray the wrong message." Followers of the writings of our own Jacob Sullum wouldn't be surprised though; see his June 2003 Reason feature "H: The Surprising Truth About Heroin and Addiction" -- and of course his excellent book, Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use -- for details on how the use of illegal drugs need not equal personal degradation and destruction.