Pubdate: Thu, 01 Jun 2000 Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC) Copyright: 2000 Peak Publishing Ltd. Contact: 4400 Marine Ave, Powell River, BC V8A 2K1 Canada Website: http://peak.powellriver.net/ Author: Isabelle Southcott METHADONE EMBODIES PROS AND CONS An information session on methadone treatment at the last Community Health Council meeting became emotional after a former heroin addict and his mother told their story. Testimonials delivered by Aaron Bella and his mother, Eva, gave health-council members a first-hand account of how a free-standing methadone clinic would benefit addicts trying to kick their illegal drug habit. Methadone maintenance involves the daily oral administration of methadone to addicts over a prolonged period as an oral substitute for heroin or other morphine-like drugs. Urine monitoring, continuing care, and counselling are all parts of the program. Aaron said he was a heroin addict for three years. He goes to Campbell River once a month for methadone treatment but says the cost and time involved in travelling makes it difficult. He'd like to see a methadone clinic established in this community. "It's done a lot of good things for me," said Aaron of the program. The ministry of social development and economic security has a budget of $500 a year to help people using methadone services with travel expenses. However, Vicky Sanzalone, district supervisor for the ministry, said that money runs out after five or six months so people quit the program and go back to "steal or deal." Two physicians in Powell River prescribe methadone to a relatively small number of patients. However, because of the nature of the service, it has become more of a challenge to provide within the confines of a small private medical practice, said Dr. Nick White. "A practice that has methadone patients gets stigmatized," said White. Many patients travel out of the community to receive this service but, because of the cost, many fail to stay with the program. Eva Bella said it is the responsibility of the community to help those who cannot help themselves. Methadone maintenance can help people fit in with their families and communities and it helps them focus on something positive rather than "where am I going to get my next fix from," she said. Because of the program, she said she's now able to talk to her son. "We can communicate with him, we can love our son and he can love us. Please help these people. Each one of them is not just a junkie; he or she is someone's son or daughter." Dr. Anna-Marie Maguire, who recently moved to Powell River, treated a large number of heroin addicts while working in the Lower Mainland. She said she'd like to make her services available here and has already received a number of requests but, because she doesn't have a place where she could treat these people, she can't. "There's a sizable population of injection drug users in this community: 31 people in Powell River pick up methadone on a regular basis." Noting that it costs between $50 to $200 a day to maintain a heroin habit, Maguire said methadone maintenance is a cost-effective treatment. "There is a lot of crime related to people who need to get money to continue to use drugs." Mike Galand, an addiction-care worker with an understanding of the methadone maintenance program, expressed concern that he hadn't heard much about getting people off methadone at the meeting. He said he knows of people who are 18, 19, and 20 years old who had cocaine or mild opiate habits (such as Tylenol Three) that now have a methadone habit. He wondered if people from out-of-town would come to Powell River to use the service. "There are a lot of issues that need to be looked at." Maguire said the methadone program has changed a lot in the last five years and is closely monitored. The health council decided to set up a task force to look at the costs involved in setting up a clinic. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk