HALTON Euro MP Chris Davies thinks that heroin addicts should be able to get the drug free on the NHS.

The Liberal Democrat MEP thinks that offering the drug on prescription could cut the link between users and criminal suppliers, save lives and reduce harm to the rest of society.

The controversial comments came after a research study published in medical journal The Lancet claimed that in Zurich the same approach led to an 82 per cent decline in heroin use over the past 10 years.

The Swiss city has seen doctors prescribing heroin to addicts up to three times a day to be injected in clinics.

Researchers believe that it has helped remove the glamour from drug use, given them more stability and helped them to rethink their lives.

Mr Davies said: "I've long argued that we must break the link between the criminals who make huge sums of money out of supplying drugs and the people upon whom they prey.

"Providing addicts with heroin through the NHS can undermine the criminals and stops users having to steal, turn to prostitution or sell drugs themselves in order to pay for their habit."

More than 50 per cent of burglaries in Britain are linked to drug use and the country has the highest rate of drug-related deaths in Europe.

The Government has authorised a pilot scheme at the Maudsley Hospital, in London, where drug users are offered heroin on prescription.

Do you agree with Chris Davies' comments on drugs? Get in touch with us and let us know what you think.

Write to reporter Vicki Stockman at Runcorn and Widnes World, The Academy, 138 Bridge Street, Warrington, WA1 2RU or e-mail her at vicki.stockman@guardiangrp.co.uk