Stimulant maintenance is the medical practice of prescribing stimulant substances such as cocaine or amphetamines to people who are dependent on these drugs. Supporters of stimulant maintenance believe that prescription offers legal alternatives to people who would otherwise be purchasing impure drugs in unknown potency and concentration, unnecessarily risking their health and supporting an illegal market that fuels organized crime.
Supporters of stimulant maintenance argue that prescribing stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines to people struggling with addiction is a safer alternative to buying illicit substances from unregulated sources. They believe this practice helps reduce the risks associated with impure drugs, protects individuals' health, and combats the illegal drug trade by supporting legal access.