DOCTORS will soon be able to prescribe heroin to addicts in a move which is sparking controversy. But what do the experts in Bolton think about the idea? Health reporter Gayle Evans looks at the issue.

IT'S an issue which is causing a flurry of debate in Bolton. Some say heroin on prescription will save lives and cut crime.

Others say the Government is going soft of drugs and politicians are walking on dangerous ground, with these moves being tantamount to legalising heroin.

But the question now being asked in Bolton is: "What will it really mean?"

As yet, health leaders, doctors and pharmacists remain largely in the dark about Government plans to make heroin available on the NHS.

Many admit to seeing vague reports in the media, but the Government has yet to issue guidance to those who will be implementing the new policy in Bolton.

All they know is that GPs are to be given the licence to prescribe the Class A drug to addicts -- at a cost to the NHS and, ultimately, the taxpayer.

Drug addicts are expected to get their daily fix from a respectable chemist, instead of from their dealer, and have to inject it in special "shooting galleries" at the pharmacy.

Initial reactions from some of those who have to work with addicts is that it is good news.

Drug expert Gerrard Thomas, from Bolton's Step by Step Project, a drop-in service for drug users, said the measure to prescribe heroin was a "major move forward".

Mr Thomas, who sees between 20 and 30 heroin users every day, said: "I think it is a way forward for drug users and will go a long way towards cutting crime. I'm sure that heroin users will welcome this, although security will obviously be an issue as to where these stores of heroin are held."

In Bolton, 1,225 drug addicts used Bolton's Drug Action Team services last year with 84 per cent of these addicted to heroin. New figures show that 41 children under the age of 16 are already addicted to heroin in Bolton.

Local GP Dr Ian James believes the effect will be felt by pharmacists, not GPs.

Dr James, whose joint practice on Chorley Old Road is in the heart of the drug-taking community, said: "Drug abuse is a problem here, as it it across Bolton. I see this change as one which will increase a doctor's workload, but I'm presuming the drug will be dispensed by the Drug Action Teams directly.

"It will affect chemists more than doctors.

"I don't think there will be a risk of young children trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, however. People won't just be able to walk in off the street and be prescribed heroin, it won't happen like that.

"But this policy, ultimately, will have a positive impact."

Dr James said police efforts on tackling heroin-related crime were clearly not working and added: "These crime policies are obviously having very little effect, with only 10 per cent of heroin stopped from coming into this country."

North West Liberal Democrat Euro MP Chris Davies, usually a long-standing critic of Government policies on drugs, says the move will save lives.

Mr Davies, convicted earlier this year for possession of cannabis as part of a political protest to support the separation of soft and hard drugs, said: "Allowing doctors to prescribe them with safe quantities of the drug to which they are addicted will save lives, undermine the criminal dealers, and ensure that addicts no longer have to steal from the rest of the community to pay for their habit".

Home Secretary David Blunkett says his policy will mean heroin users will be given prescribed supplies of the drug in safe, medically supervised areas, using clean needles.

These developments will also apply to drug users in prison.

Bolton's Drug Action Team leader, Sandy Nesbitt, has expressed some reservations, saying the Government's policy may not be suitable for all heroin addicts. The alternative treatment for heroin addiction is the drug methadone, which is taken in tablet form.

Ms Nesbitt said this was an important method of getting addicts away from the addiction of injecting, which may be overlooked by the new policy.

Bolton's drugs help agencies receive just £1 million a year, with the action team still awaiting funding for next year's initiatives.

Ms Nesbitt said: "Prescribing heroin will be a more expensive way of doing things. This policy needs careful assessment."

Tory Cllr Stuart Lever, who represents Astley Bridge, says the Government could be accused of going "soft on drugs", and free heroin was a dangerous move. But he admits that it may be useful in reducing crime and the black market of heroin supply.

Cllr Lever said: "The jury's still out on this one. The Government seems to be putting out a dangerous message that heroin is legal. The wording is very vague.

"Cigarettes are just as addictive. Does that mean they will be available on the NHS too?

"The Government seems to be trying to tackle the problem of drugs, but they seem to putting together a mis-match of policies."

A spokesman for Bolton Pharmaceuctical Society said the society could not comment until they knew exactly what pharmacists' role in the new policy would be.