The Dutch government said on Wednesday it would begin offering free heroin to addicts in a small-scale trial starting next year. The aim is to wean addicts off the streets and away from criminal behaviour. Health Minister Els Borst had wanted to begin a trial offering heroin to some 750 addicts, but opposition from the Liberal Party, a member of the Dutch government coalition, scaled down the trial sample to between 50 and 100. Borst said the larger project would go ahead as long as the initial test did not lead to any "unwanted side-effects". A parliamentary debate has been scheduled for next week.

(from REUTER)