HEROIN addiction should be treated as a disease - claims the leading GP who deals with addiction in the Island.
Dr Michael Marks said that the addiction can leave victims in misery and ill-health and with an average life expectancy of 32.
He treats 80 per cent of people who go to the Alcohol and Drugs Service with substance problems, and sees 40 to 50 patients a week.
He told the shadow scrutiny panel looking into addiction in Jersey that more needed to be done to protect young people from the ‘disease’ of heroin addiction.
‘We are trying to save people from a disease which has a life expectancy of 32, with associated chronic illness and misery,’ he told Deputy Jerry Dorey’s panel yesterday.
‘I think if we can remember that we have a very vulnerable young population on this Island who are always saying there is nothing to do.
They are the ones that are being targetted by the very few professional people who get drugs into the Island.’ He proposed a community based scheme that would provide a better all-round service.
Article posted on 31st July, 2004 - 12.00am
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