Drugs Minister hints at funds for therapy trial
Scotland’s Drugs Minister Angela Constance has signalled that funding could be made available to study a controversial treatment which supporters say saves heroin users from distressing detox symptoms.
Constance has told supporters of Neuro Electric Therapy (NET) that funds could be available for a pilot study.
The treatment uses low-level electronic pulses delivered from electrodes placed behind the ears to suppress the side-effects of coming off heroin addiction.
In a letter to the treatment programme’s Scottish boss, Owen Fielding, she said: “It is very interesting to hear about the work that you and your organisation are doing and your plans regarding further research on NET internationally and in Scotland.
“There is a need for further randomised control trials into NET’s efficacy which would take into
consideration longer-term outcomes and make use of appropriate control groups. There may be funding available for a similar trial to be carried out in Scotland via the Chief Scientist Office (CSO).
“CSO has reviewed its grant schemes and is now providing a number of different funding steams to directly support research in Scotland.”
Jardine Simpson of the Drug Deaths Task Force said: “This shows Angela Constance is willing to listen to those of us with lived experience.”
The Scottish government said there was a lack of evidence about NET, but if that changed it could look at it again.