Until 16 April 1968 any doctor could prescribe heroin and cocaine to any of their patients. The following extract describes the prescribing of heroin by one doctor, Lady Frankau and its effect on the extent of addiction in the 1960s.

Exclusive extracts from H. B. (Bing) Spear’s long awaited insider account of the history of British opiate policy. Bing Spear joined the Home Office Drugs Inspectorate in 1952. He was Chief inspector from 1977 until he retired in 1986. He died in 1995. Extracts edited by Joy Mott.

The road from H: how the legal supply of heroin to users virtually dried up (PDF)