A Complicated Kindness: Vancouver’s Heroin Prescription Trial Raises Research Ethics Concerns

Silly me.

I thought that an op-ed exploring ethical concerns related to an experimental heroin maintenance program may raised questions about the lack of accessible abstinence-based treatment, the palliative approach to a treatable condition, the stigmatization of heroin addiction as untreatable, or, maybe even questions of informed consent for a study offer people with a brain disease their poison.

I was too optimistic. The concerns revolve about the high admission threshold and the time-limited nature of the study--which, actually sounds like a legitimate concern. If you're going to assume the role of supplier, there are some ethical concerns about cutting off the supply.