London, Jan 6: British police officials have devised a new way to cure sex offenders – chemical castration.

In the treatment, the offenders will be given daily tablets or monthly injections that reduce male testosterone to levels found in prepubescent boys.

The prisoners, who are being considered for the programme, are sent a letter disclosing the effects of the cure, as it is illegal to administer such medication forcibly.

“These drugs reduce levels of the male hormone testosterone. This has the effect of decreasing sexual interest and arousal. Although you can still have sex, it is much more difficult. It is possible, however, to adjust the dose to a level where you can have sex with a partner,” Times Online quoted the officials, as writing in the letter.

The chemical castration programme will focus on those sex offenders who have the most serious conditions of ‘hyperarousal’ and intrusive sexual fantasies.

An advisory document sent to probation officers said these would include prisoners prone to sexual sadism, necrophilia, voyeurism and exhibitionism.

Because the treatment is voluntary, prison doctors and probation officers cannot be certain that sex offenders will continue with their treatment.

Some experts strongly disagree with the use of such medication.

Diane Newell, a consultant at RWA, a clinic treating sex offenders in Milton Keynes, said: “Sex offending is a lifestyle problem rather than a physiological problem. It should be treated by reteaching moral boundaries and counselling rather than drugs.”(ANI)