Is heroin the solution?

Is heroin the solution?
Drugs charities called for Britain to abandon its tough approach to heroin use after research showed Zurich had cut the number of new addicts by transforming the image of heroin into a “loser drug”. Addicts are offered injectable heroin on prescription, as well as methadone, which has medicalised drug use and reduced its glamour.
Source:- The Independent, Friday 2 June 2006, page 1
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Ministers discuss longer sentences for knife crime as two more stabbed
Reid poised for about-turn after rejecting Tory calls.
Source:- The Guardian, Friday 2 June 2006, page 12
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Home-made cake banned at Age Concern day centre
When Elaine Richards tried to deliver a home-made birthday cake to a 96-year-old friend at an Age Concern day centre, she was told they could not accept it because of health and safety rules.
Source:- Daily Mail, Friday 2 June 2006, page 9
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Jail crisis puts more prisoners on streets
Ministers are seeking emergency powers to allow the early release of thousands of prisoners in order to relieve the jail crisis.
Source:- The Times, Friday 2 June 2006, page 1
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Curb on guilty plea discounts to keep killers in jail longer
The hefty jail discounts given to killers, rapists and other criminals who plead guilty are expected to be cut in a move towards tougher sentences.
Source:- The Times, Friday 2 June 2006, page 4
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NHS advertises for an outsider to stop the rot
The chance to become the new head of the health service, on the highest salary in public sector history, is to be offered to the international business community this weekend.
Source:- The Times, Friday 2 June 2006, page 1
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The 15-year-old boy who plays parent to his mother
My name is Reece and my mum’s an alcoholic.
Source:- The Sun, Friday 2 June 2006, page 22
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Scottish news
 
Lawyers’ group pulls out of sex offender cases in legal aid row
The largest group of lawyers in Scotland are refusing to defend sex offenders after a row with the Scottish executive over legal aid payments. The move, agreed unanimously at a special meeting of Glasgow Bar Association, could halt trials, and comes two weeks after solicitors across Scotland voted to withdraw all co-operation with the executive in the legal aid row.
Lawyers are angry at delays in the introduction of a new system of “block fees”, designed to account for changes in court procedures. They say an executive offer of an interim increase of fees under the present system is too low.
Source:- The Herald, Friday 2 June 2006
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Call to use the skills of Scotland’s immigrants
Ministers have been urged to set up “welcoming units” at Scottish airports to find out how many Poles and other Europeans are moving to the country and what qualifications they have.
Margo MacDonald, the independent Lothians MSP, wrote to George Lyon, the deputy public service minister, asking the Scottish executive to register incoming economic migrants to try to find out how many were arriving and what jobs they are most suited to.
She said it was estimated that 40 per cent of Polish migrants had university qualifications and many were teachers and social workers but were not given help to find work in their professional areas.
Source:- The Scotsman, Friday 2 June 2006
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Care home abuse claim
A care home worker has been suspended over allegations elderly residents were assaulted.
Police are probing the claims involving Chapel Level care home in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
A spokesman for the home said: “An internal investigation concerning an individual member of staff is under way, along with a police investigation, and therefore we cannot comment further at this time.”
Source:- The Record, Friday 2 June
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Police investigate assisted death claim
South Wales police have launched an investigation into allegations that a man went to Switzerland for an assisted death.
The man was from the Swansea area and in his 40s. He is alleged to now be dead.
Source:- Western Mail, Friday 2 June 2006
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Crown court trial for sex assault accused
A primary school headteacher charged with sexually assaulting a child has been transferred to the crown court.
Christopher Barker, 45, head of Ysgol Tanyfron school in Wrexham, North Wales, is accused of two counts of sexual assault against a child. The case has been moved from Wrexham Magistrates’ court to Mold crown court.
Source:- icWales, Friday 2 June 2006
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