Pubdate: Sun, 16 Feb 2003
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Kevin Diakiw

DOCTORS DECRY SURREY'S LATEST METH PLAN

Surrey is preparing to restrict how pharmacies issue methadone, with a 
proposed bylaw that requires the drug be taken in front of pharmacists.

But a doctor from the province's task force on addiction says the city is 
"arrogant" to think it can run medical services better than physicians.

Surrey's public safety committee received a report this week that 
recommends "that no person shall sell ... methadone for consumption 
anywhere but on the premises of a methadone dispensary or drug store."

The bylaw is hoped to reduce or eliminate the amount of methadone being 
traded and sold on the street.

Methadone is a drug used to reduce the effects of heroin withdrawal and 
less commonly for pain relief. Physicians already require that newly 
recovering heroin addicts take the drug in the presence of a pharmacist, 
but as patients recover, they are allowed to take a few days' supply home 
- -- called "carries" -- so they can pursue normal lives.

Surrey's bylaw will be discussed by the public safety committee next month 
but city councillors who sit on the committee are in favour of the plan.

"Methadone is being traded on the streets, and it's not being used by 
ex-heroin addicts using it for their own medicinal use," says committee 
member Coun. Marvin Hunt. "That then becomes a massive concern."

Committee chair Coun. Dianne Watts agrees, expressing concerns about the 
lack of regulations surrounding pharmacies and the way methadone is 
dispensed. If the city has to step in and regulate, then that's what it 
will do, she maintained.

Coun. Gary Tymoschuk, who also sits on the committee, also expects to 
support the proposed bylaw when it comes back to committee.

Dr. Ray Baker, a foremost expert on addiction medicine and member of the 
province's task force on addictions, says the city is wading into dangerous 
waters.

"If they're going to interfere with the medical treatment of that disease, 
I'd like to see what they're going to say about diabetes and heart disease, 
because they're obviously getting into the realm of treatment," Baker said. 
"They're so arrogant."

Surrey Mounties confirm that they frequently arrest people in possession of 
methadone that is not part of their prescription.

But Baker points out that many pharmaceuticals trade on the street, 
including Valium and Percodan. Surrey's proposed bylaw takes away a 
valuable incentive for methadone patients who are getting on with 
productive lives, he said.

Developing a relationship with the patients is an arduous process, however 
one that can produce excellent results, he says.

"You start to work with patients that are manipulative and dishonest -- 
their lives are very out of control when we first see them," Baker said, 
adding that over time, patients become more settled, which brings increased 
trust by the physician. "If your behaviour improves, you get rewards. The 
most powerful reward we have to bring about improved behaviour are carries. 
If you take that away, what you're saying is `we don't trust you.' "

Dr. Gulzar Cheema, the B.C. minister in charge of addictions services, says 
Surrey is stepping beyond its authority with the proposed bylaw.

"It's not within their jurisdiction, they have to go to the College of 
Physicians or College of Pharmacists (if they have concerns)," Cheema said. 
"As a politician, how far are you going to be going?"

Surrey recently increased the cost of business licences for methadone 
dispensaries by 5,000 per cent, prompting four dispensaries to sue the city 
over what they say is a "discriminatory" fee.

If the latest methadone bylaw is approved by the public safety committee, 
it will go to city council for consideration.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens