Retoxifying

Subject: Retoxifying Tue May 18, 2010 10:52 pm

Drug-free inmates put on methadone

The process, called "retoxification", is allegedly designed to boost the tolerance of former addicts who are deemed likely to start using drugs on their release, to minimise the risk of them taking an overdose.
But critics of the treatment have accused prison doctors, acting under Department of Health guidelines, of "state-sponsored" drug dealing and "giving up on tackling" the problem.
Kathy Gyngell, of the Centre for Policy Studies, said: "It gives the impression the Government is giving up on tackling drug addiction.
"This doesn't get people off drugs – but captures them in the grip of methadone instead."
The Sun reported that the process has been ongoing in English prisons for the last five years and that more than 460 prisoners have undergone retoxification. It was already known to be in operation in Scotland.
Senior police officers were said to be furious at the news, with one saying: "We have enough difficulties coping with drug-fuelled crime without ministers sanctioning this.

The rest of the story continues at the link at the top of the page.

I have some serious problems with this idea.
It bothers me both morally and ethically.
Reading this whole thing upset me too badly to really talk about it.

What do you think?