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First Question: What Are The Implications For Health? What all the experts have been demanding for a long time is now a step closer. The `Red-Green' federal government will hold to a more liberal path in its drug policy than its predecessor. Proceeding on the principle that addiction is a sickness, the newly appointed federal `drug czar', Christa Nickels, will emphasize education and "Assistance not Punishment". Christa Nickels is satisfied. Her office has been transferred from the Home Office to the Department of Health. That sends the signal that drug policy will henceforth be based on a humanitarian, health model, and not a law enforcement model. Eduard Lintner, her predecessor, saw things quite differently. The Swiss model he regarded as a "Horror," as he announced after a visit. The number of drug related mortalities rose steadily during his term in office. A Swiss model will be followed also in the proposed clinics where addicts can inject in a safe, supportive environment. Heroin will also be provided as soon as the law has been revised. Frankfurt's experience with its trial since 1994 has been very encouraging. It is expected that Hamburg and many other large cities will be adopting similar models.
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