The research examined heroin use in Glasgow

A report by researchers in Glasgow said it was possible to live a normal life while taking the class A substance.

However, the Scottish Executive and anti-drug groups have renewed warnings about the danger of heroin abuse.

Anti-drug worker David Pentland said: "To put this information out into society is totally irresponsible."

The former heroin addict, from Edinburgh, added: "This could encourage those who may otherwise have shied away from heroin to think it's okay.

This research adds to a small body of evidence that suggests there might be a place for prescribed heroin to a small number of addicts, who do not respond to all other forms of treatment Scottish Executive spokeswoman

"The reality is that a very small percentage get back on track after heroin addiction."

The report, by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University, cost the Scottish Executive �114,000.

It was funded by the Chief Scientist Office, part of the executive's health department which supports and promotes research.

The executive said it was "a very small study of an atypical group of heroin addicts".

A spokeswoman said: "Heroin is an illegal drug that ruins lives and damages communities. Just ask the families and loved ones of those in its grip, the victims whose lives and property suffer as a result of drug-fuelled crime."

Treatment decisions

She said that support services which worked for one individual might not work for others.

"One size does not fit all - decisions on treatment are rightly for local practitioners and individual patients," she said.

"Our support will be for approaches with a strong evidence base of effectiveness.

"This research adds to a small body of evidence that suggests there might be a place for prescribed heroin to a small number of addicts, who do not respond to all other forms of treatment.

The majority of heavy heroin users go on to develop major problems Scottish Drugs Forum spokeswoman

"We do not feel that this evidence is as yet convincing and are monitoring developments in England.

"There are no plans for such an approach in the immediate future from this executive."

Scotland Against Drugs director Alistair Ramsay said that anyone reading the report who thought they could take heroin safely would be wrong.

"The chances are the vast majority of those who start taking heroin are not going to be able to function and rather, they will develop major problems which require to be funded by the public purse," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Drugs Forum said: "The majority of heavy heroin users go on to develop major problems.

"However, there will be a small group of people who are able to use heroin in a controlled fashion and live a fairly normal life."

She added: "How it affects the user depends on environment, background and psychology."

Social factors

Martin Barnes, chief executive of DrugScope, said: "The research raises some important questions about the nature of addiction.

"It is often assumed that addiction is dictated by the substance used - that if you use heroin you are a heroin addict.

"However, this research shows that there are people who use heroin without suffering serious negative health impacts, while continuing to hold down jobs, without the commonly-associated side-effects of heroin usage.

"We need to look more at the social factors which can contribute to an addiction, such as poverty and unemployment. A better understanding of social factors will help deliver more effective drug treatment and potentially better prevention."