PARENTS INITIATIVE FOR TOLERANT DRUG POLICY (GERMANY):

An article in June 09 Die Strasse presents an interview with Juergen Heimchen, head of the organization for almost 16 years. The fundamental goal of the "Initiative" - which is both a self-help and advocacy group - is to do everything possible to allow drug users to survive. Heimchen describes the advances made in the last 2 decades; initially, methadone in Germany was only available to addicts who had a terminal illness! It is very largely the effort of parents of addicts that turned the tide in Germany; today an estimated 70,000 patients receive methadone maintenance.