Pubdate: Sun, 23 Dec 2007
Source: Tribune-Democrat, The (PA)
Copyright: 2007 The Tribune-Democrat
Contact:  http://www.tribune-democrat.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4063
Author: Julie Benamati
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

METHADONE-RELATED DEATHS SOAR

A recent report issued by the National Drug  Intelligence Center
indicates an alarming trend in the  number of methadone-related deaths
- -- estimated to be  about a 400 percent increase since 1999.

And while some local experts agree that the NDIC's  figure mirrors
that of local trends, they say the  increase is not a result of
methadone clinics, commonly  frequented by drug addicts to treat
heroin addiction.

According to the report, methadone-related deaths  increased from 786
in 1999 to almost 4,000 in 2004, as  reported by the Centers for
Disease Control and  Prevention.

In comparison, the number of cocaine-related deaths  during the same
period increased 43 percent.

In addition to treating heroin addiction, methadone is  a commonly
prescribed narcotic used to treat chronic  pain.

Key findings of the report say the total amount of  methadone
distributed in the last five years has  increased, with the greatest
percentage occurring at  the practitioner level.

In addition, thefts of the drug from manufacturers and  distributors,
such as pharmacies, are on the rise.

Cambria County Coroner Dennis Kwiatkowski agrees with  NDIC's
assessment.

"Most of the drug deaths that we have had lately are
methadone-related," Kwiatkowski said. "For most of  them, it's just
like NDIC says ... it's coming from a  prescription."

Kwiatkowski said methadone has become the illegal drug  of choice on
the street.

"It seems like methadone has taken over for Oxycontin,"  Kwiatkowski
said. "We don't see (Oxycontin) deaths like  we used to.

"Three or four years ago, there was a lot of Oxycontin  on the
streets, and the drug task force and FDA really  busted down on the
Oxycontin pushers," he continued.  "Now there is a trend for methadone."

Kwiatkowski said people are obtaining prescriptions  from physicians
and then selling it on the street.  Others are stealing the drug.

"People pick (prescriptions) up and sell them on the  streets,"
Kwiatkowski said. "It can't be manufactured  on the street ... and
they can get pretty good money  for it."

Wallace Miller, Somerset County's coroner, said he has  not seen the
same trend in his region.

"We only had one methadone-related death in Somerset  County in 2007,"
Miller said. "We're just not seeing it  here."

And while most people associate the drug with methadone  clinics,
which "dose" patients on an average of three  times per week to treat
them for heroin addiction,  Kwiatkowski said he agrees with NDIC's
findings.

"I don't think much is coming straight out of the meth  clinics," he
said. "A lot of the people going to the  clinics aren't going to want
to part with it too  easily.

Patients being treated for heroin addiction are "dosed"  at the clinic
on an average of three days per week.

After a period of time, some patients are permitted to  take a limited
few "doses" home for at-home treatment.

"There's a possibility they're sharing it, but I think  that is very
rare," Kwiatkowski said. "While we've seen  some overdoses coming out
of the clinics, these are  people who are hard-core users."
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MAP posted-by: Steve Heath