Cash-for-sterilisation scheme draws first drug addict

London: A drug addict has become the first person in Britain to be sterilised in exchange for cash under a new project. The man, known as John, who has been addicted to heroin for 15 years, was given £200 (Dh1,173) by an American charity to have a vasectomy.

Project Prevention, the charity running the scheme, has made similar payments to thousands of men and women in America in a crusade to prevent them having children who may inherit their addictions. The 38-year-old man said he had been involved with drugs since the age of 11 or 12 and that the offer of money had "spurred" him into having the operation. He said: "It was kind of what spurred me into doing it in a way. It was something that I'd been thinking about for a long time and something that I'd already made my mind up that I wanted to do. Just hadn't got around to it."

Making a decision

The charity began offering cash incentive to British addicts after paying 3,500 Americans to be sterilised. John said he was given 30 days to make a decision after calling the charity's helpline, and had the operation at a National Health Service centre in September.

But the scheme has attracted criticism from those who say it is exploiting vulnerable people, and has been accused of social engineering. A spokesman for Addaction, a drug and alcohol treatment charity, said: "Addaction firmly believes there is no place for Project Prevention in the UK because their practices are morally reprehensible and irrelevant.

"Sex education and contraceptive advice is part of drug treatment work in this country. Women who use drugs can access all types of contraception free on the NHS, including a number of long-term options."