Pubdate: Sun, 22 Jul 2007
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2007 BBC
Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

HEROIN TREATMENT AT RECORD LEVELS

The number of people treated for heroin addiction in Scotland has 
reached record levels, according to figures.

About 21,000 people are now said to use heroin substitute methadone - 
10% more than previously thought - with a third of them caring for 
children under 16.

The statistics are contained in a series of reports published by the 
Scottish government.

A review was ordered after the death of toddler Derek Doran. 
Ministers have backed the continued use of the drug.

Derek died after drinking methadone he found in his home two weeks 
after his second birthday.

Put simply, involvement in a methadone programme means an addict no 
longer needs to inject drugs  Dr Harry Burns Scotland's chief medical 
officer Send us your views

Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing has promised improved services 
to help more methadone users back into drug-free lives.

He said: "It is clear that methadone does have an important part to 
play in tackling heroin addiction. The benefits it can bring in terms 
of harm reduction are well established.

"Methadone can stabilise chaotic lives and has a positive impact on 
the lives of many people who are treated with it. Experts have 
concluded that it is entirely appropriate for methadone to be the 
major element of the treatment available for opiate dependency.

"The report makes clear that there are, however, areas of concern 
about the use of methadone. Tackling those areas is a key priority for us.

"That means improving service delivery; improving consistency of 
provision; and, above all, improving integration of methadone 
treatment with the extra support needed to achieve the ultimate goal 
of recovery from addiction."

Review Findings

21,000 receiving methadone in the community 10,500 consume methadone 
under daily supervision 7,000 on methadone look after children under 
16 Methadone viewed as most cost effective treatment

Mr Ewing said that drug treatment needs to be "more than a 
prescription service".

"Methadone must come with genuine rehabilitation to help addicts find 
a route out of drugs," he added.

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns, said the benefits 
of methadone were considerable and should not be understated.

He said: "Injecting drug users put themselves at significant risk of 
contracting blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis C from sharing 
injecting equipment.

"Bacterial infections from non-sterile equipment are also common, as 
is vascular damage arising from long-term drug use.

"Put simply, involvement in a methadone treatment programme means a 
drug addict no longer needs to inject drugs."

'One-trick-pony'

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie told the BBC's Good 
Morning Scotland programme that she welcomed the fact that figures on 
methadone usage were finally being compiled.

She said: "Methadone has to be one of the range of options and I have 
always held that view.

"What I criticised the last Scottish Executive for was the complete 
dearth of thinking about having other options available.

"It became a one-trick-pony. It was methadone virtually or nothing 
whereas I think there is a place for a range of options, particularly 
rehabilitation."

Labour justice spokeswoman Margaret Curran said: "There are serious 
implications for methadone dependent addicts and any efforts to 
address Scotland's drug problems with this treatment must be part of 
a wider solution that educates, supports and rehabilitates addicts 
and their families.

"I expect the SNP executive to look at these reports closely and put 
together a detailed strategy which addresses all of the challenges 
facing Scotland's drug users."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman