METHADONE KEEPS ADDICTS ON DRUGS
Take away methadone keeps addicts on drugs.
One study claimed that by receiving take home doses of methadone early in treatment enhanced the addicts RETENTION on drugs.
In most UK centres there is no supervision of take home methadone.
In the UK deaths from methadone poisoning increased by 710% between 1982 and 1992 ie from 16 deaths to 131 deaths.
In 1992 UK methadone deaths were 4 times higher than deaths from heroin per 10000 users.
The UK study showed a significant increase in drug related deaths amoungst men aged between 15 and 44 years of age.
In the 5 years to 1992 there were nearly twice as many methodone deaths as heroin deaths in the UK.
In one large US centre 60% of methadone users were on welfare.
In Australia, unsupervised take away methadone has led to many deaths.
The Victorian Coroner has reported on these methadone deaths.
Why aren’t addicts on regularized medical prescription of methadone diverted into detoxification then rehabilitation to get them drug free?
Why are addicts maintained on drugs that can lead to death?
More detoxification & rehabilitation programs that get addicts drug free.
Court ordered detoxification & rehabilitation programs.
Less addicts
Less drug pushers and drug related crimes.
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA Inc.
HEROIN FACT SHEET 21