Should heroin users be detained under a mental health act when they overdose on heroin?

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Australia is in the midst of an epidemic of deaths due to overdose of heroin. More than 700 young Australians die each year because they use too much heroin, often after taking other drugs as well as heroin. A recent review of mortality among heroin users suggested that up to 25% of heroin overdose deaths could be suicides. While hundreds die each year from overdosing on heroin thousands of heroin users overdose and recover, either without specific medical help or after being treated by medical or paramedical staff or both. A common story from ambulance officers and emergency department staff is that after being treated for overdose of heroin, many, perhaps most patients, abruptly leave the scene of their treatment. This outcome means that a comprehensive assessment and management of their heroin and other drug use, and mental state is very difficult. The purpose of this paper is to review ethical arguments for detaining heroin users who overdose to enable a comprehensive assess...