Swiss vote on government-authorized heroin program

Swiss voters are deciding Sunday whether to make permanent Switzerland's pioneering program to give hardened addicts government-authorized heroin.

Public opinion surveys leading up to the referendum indicated strong support for the program, which has been credited with reducing crime and improving the health and daily lives of addicts since it began 14 years ago.

Parliament has already approved the measure, but under Switzerland's cherished direct democracy the voters will have the last word in the referendum prompted by a challenge from conservatives.

The heroin program has helped eliminate scenes of large groups of drug users shooting up openly …