Pubdate: Fri, 02 Apr 2004
Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2004 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://www.herald.ns.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Tera Camus
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

C.B. DETOX HELP ON THE WAY

Authorities Promise Program Aimed At Weaning Addicts Off Variety Of Drugs

SYDNEY - Getting into detox is proving to be very difficult for some drug 
addicts in Cape Breton, but help is on the way.

John Malcom, chief executive officer of the Cape Breton district health 
authority, said that within a month, a daytime detox program will be 
offered to help wean addicts off prescription drugs as as well as illicit 
drugs such as cocaine, crack and heroin.

The prescription drug OxyContin has been a particular problem and has been 
linked to a rash of crime and one sudden death in the Sydney area and 
another sudden death on the South Shore.

The new program comes less than a year after the authority axed its 
residential program for people who had completed detox but still required 
support. A day clinic is now in place for them.

"Over the last number of years, we've seen a declining use of the 
residential program," Mr. Malcom said.

"And we think by moving to a day program, we can offer it to more 
communities; we may have more people take advantage of it," he said.

Joan Jessome, president of the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union, said 
there's 47 people on a waiting list for one of the 30 beds at detox centres.

Another 30 people are waiting to be accepted into the Halifax-based 
methadone program, something she says is unacceptable.

"We told you not to do away with the 28-day program, but you didn't 
listen," Ms. Jessome told Mr. Malcom at a public meeting in Glace Bay 
earlier this week, which attracted 150 residents concerned about the 
growing problem of prescription drug abuse.

"This province is guilty of having the ostrich syndrome," she said, adding 
"Get the heads stuck in the sand out."

She said there's plenty of money provided by the province, but resources 
are not being allocated wisely to tackle drug abuse and crime.

Recovering drug addict Eric Thompson said drug addicts need to be separated 
from society and the people who encourage bad habits.

Mr. Thompson got off drugs by moving out of Cape Breton for treatment and 
staying away until he was strong enough to return.

"I know they have day programs but I can't see them working," he said. "If 
I was going out for a day (detox), I never would have made it, I know that. 
. Once you're let out, you're going to go right back into what got you 
there in the first place."

Mr. Malcom said studies have shown there's no difference in outcomes 
between residential and outpatient addiction services.

The authority now uses methadone, a strong painkiller, in its in-patient 
detox program, which has 20 beds in Sydney and 10 in the Port Hawkesbury 
area, Mr. Malcom said.

"It is a way of getting people off opiates, so we do offer methadone," he said.

And a proposal is the works to offer a methadone maintenance program in the 
area.

The drug is commonly used to help addicts because it doesn't provide a high 
but helps relieve severe withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, shaking, 
sweats, painful muscle cramps, diarrhea and vomiting.

In the meantime, patients will have to be assessed for the new day program 
when it begins before any structured treatment can be prescribed. Full 
details are expected to be made public in a couple of weeks.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom