NYC health department takes flak for "heroin manual"

The 10-step pamphlet titled "Take Charge, Take Care," features color drawings and easy-to-read text starting with a page on how to prevent overdose.

The health department said the aim was to protect users from spreading the HIV infection and suffering from overdoses.

But critics, including the City Council and law enforcement officials, lambasted what they said was publicly funded encouragement for illegal drug use.

"I think tips provided in the pamphlet are not good in terms of preventing anyone from going down the road," John Gilbride, special agent in the field division of the Drug Enforcement Administration, told ABC television.

"It's enabling a user, or potential user. It implies you can use heroin in a safe manner, which is false. There is no safe way to use heroin."

The health department fought back, saying the "pamphlet provides potentially life saving advice for people until they get into treatment."