Pubdate: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 Source: Gabriola Sounder (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 The Gabriola Sounder Contact: http://www.soundernews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2350 Author: Tracie Der, BSc(Pharm.), Pharmacist/Owner, Medicine Centre Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) THE TRUTH ABOUT METHADONE When, when, when are people going to bother to learn the facts BEFORE making, and publishing, broad assumptions and instilling fear into the hearts of ordinary people? Last week the Sounder published a letter to the editor, unfortunately under a title that gave it the weight of an actual, factually-supported article, in which some very inflammatory remarks were made by Louise Amuir. We are disappointed that the letter was given the credence it was and saddened by the lack of facts and evidence provided to support the comments that were made. Yes, methadone is dispensed by our pharmacy per legal prescriptions written by specifically authorized physicians. We are NOT a methadone "dispensary" or clinic - we do not solely offer that medication. It is one of many medications we dispense and it is used both for treating heroine addiction and managing chronic pain. We have patients using it for both purposes. Not many, I might add. We've certainly had many more at various times in the past. Those patients using it to treat heroine addiction must comply with some pretty strict regulations and the slightest hint that they are not complying results in immediate suspension from the program. We have been dispensing methadone prescriptions for about 12 years. Wow - what a crime wave we are having as a result! (Sarcasm intended!) Crime statistics on Gabriola have never correlated to the number of patients we have using methadone. I've served on the Community/Police Liaison Committee. I've seen both sides. Those are facts. Also, we are unaware of anyone moving here due to the ability to obtain methadone from us. All our patients are, and have been, existing residents! In the beginning, we were requested by physicians to offer methadone services to improve the compliance of their patients living on Gabriola. At the time, they had to leave Gabriola to receive their medication - no small task when they must be witnessed taking their medication daily by the pharmacist! Other patients, also already "residents," have reached the point where they were ready to adopt a healthier lifestyle and methadone has been part of the solution for them. No doubt, the healthy environment of Gabriola, being somewhat removed from the "inner city" issues Louise raises, has contributed to their success as well. I, too, lock my doors and my car - because it is prudent to do so, not because I am afraid of any of the patients we see here. You may be interested to hear that many of these patients we've served over the years have not only been among the more polite and respectful clients we serve, but we have witnessed them go on to lead healthy, productive lives and become contributing members of society. We are proud of them and the role that we have played in their recovery. Do you know anything about methadone treatment? In the old days (20+ years ago), methadone was used to "detox" patients, who were then sent on their way to manage as best they could. Now, methadone is used to maintain abstinence. Consider a person with diabetes. We wouldn't give them medication to bring their sugar levels back into the proper range, then withdraw the medication and send them off to keep it that way on their own, would we? Managing addiction has the same philosophy as treating any other chronic medical condition - chronic medication is often needed to maintain health. Many studies, over many decades, confirm this. We can provide you with references. Facts - not emotions, judgements or opinions. And, since when does the community get to have a say in who gets treated for what? A "vote rural" referendum doesn't have the slightest connection to who is provided with legal and appropriate medical treatment. Maybe we should have some other referendums on medical issues? Vote not to let the pharmacy dispense antidepressants so that depressed people won't live on Gabriola because we want it to be a happy place? Or, maybe we pharmacists should have the right to refuse treatment due to our personal prejudices? Maybe we should refuse to provide prescriptions for birth control because it's against some people's religious beliefs? Ridiculous! You may be annoyed, Louise, but you are also un-or mis-informed. Whether you choose to become educated about an issue is up to you, but broadcasting your ignorance, to the detriment of my patients or good medical care, is annoying to me. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman