DRUG MAINTENANCE INCREASING
Over 41,000 Australians were being prescribed drugs for heroin and other drug addiction at 30 June 2008.
This is an increase over the past 3 years.
Two thirds of all addicts that receive prescription drugs are male.
Methadone is prescribed in 70 per cent of cases with other drugs used in combination.
More than 8 out of ten dosing sites were located in pharmacies.
There is an acknowledged risk of inappropriate use of methadone.
(Source: Australian Institute of Health & Welfare Bulletin 72, May 2009.)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
These current drug maintenance programs indicate that illicit drug addiction uses drug substitution for treatment- that is substitute an illicit drug like heroin for a prescription drug like methadone.
International best practice indicates that for recovery of illicit drug addiction, abstinence should be the goal of any program.
Drug maintenance is very expensive, and as admitted, is subject of inappropriate use by addicts who can sell their methadone or use it as well as other illicit drugs.
Detoxification and rehabilitation to a drug free condition should be the desired outcome for those addicted to illicit drugs.
Maintaining addicts on a drug use regimen is not as effective to the addict, their family and the community as the potential for relapse is higher because a drug use is maintained.
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
20/2009