Is it time for a heroin maintenance program? Views of users and ex-users

We investigated the feasibility of a trial to provide heroin to dependent users and as part of this sought the views of three groups of users and ex-users. While a majority of each group supported a trial, a greater proportion of people who were currently users of heroin or other illicit opioids were in favour than was the case either for people who had been dependent on heroin in the past or for people who currently used or had used illicit drugs, but who had never used heroin or other opioids. Where possible, we related views about trial outcomes to additional information provided by respondents. This information supported views that a trial might a) increase the number of dependent heroin users and, for trial participants, b) improve health, c) reduce criminal behaviour, especially drug dealing and d) increase the prevalence of driving under the influence of heroin, although this would not necessarily reduce road safety. Difficulties in measuring trial effects on some of these outcome measures are discussed.