21.   There is also growing debate over whether heroin addicts should be treated differently by the courts, which are supposed to show leniency to offenders who are chronic users.

22.   To prescribe buprenorphine, doctors would have to be licensed to dispense controlled substances and trained to treat addicts.

23.   Vietnam has sought to control its worsening heroin problem by requiring that all addicts be treated at such centers, despite their high failure rate.

24.   It has also set up centres to treat drug addicts and promised to pardon those who turn up for treatment and to withhold their identities.

25.   The health ministry will also expand existing programmes to treat drug addicts, who are pardoned if they turn themselves in.