Pubdate: Tue, 14 Apr 2009
Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/G2Rxy0Lr
Website: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492
Author: Susan Zielinski
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

HARD TIMES HELP KICK HARD DRUGS

The Recession Is Turning Out To Be One Way To Break A Drug Addiction.

Methadone clinics in Calgary, Red Deer and Medicine Hat have seen an 
increase in clients who have either lost their jobs or worry that may 
happen, said Bill Leslie with Central Alberta Methadone Program in Red Deer.

"A lot more people in the working class with families are coming in 
because of the layoffs," said Leslie, the clinic's social worker, on Monday.

"They can't afford to be picking up what they need on the street and 
support their family, too."

Methadone prevents physical withdrawal and reduces drug cravings for 
opiates, including morphine and heroin.

Leslie said morphine is more common in Alberta then heroin. People 
injured on the job who are prescribed painkillers for a long time 
sometimes get hooked, although they are usually addicted to a lower dosage.

Being laid off can give people the incentive to clean up if they lose 
their company health plan or it gives them the time they need to 
clean up, he said.

"If you're out making $10,000 a month, do you want to take the six 
weeks and do it, or two months? It's a tough decision when you have a 
mortgage payment and truck payments."

More companies have also instituted drug screening programs and 
workers are "getting a little scared," Leslie said.

"You don't know when they're going to do it. You could be heading 
home and you go around a corner and there's a road barricade - urine 
sample time, boys. And there's no second chance. If you come back 
positive, you either go to treatment or you've lost your job."

The Red Deer clinic sees between about 190 clients a month. They are 
87 per cent opiate free, which is fantastic, he said.

Both the Red Deer and Medicine Hat clinics have garnered public 
support, unlike Calgary where the clinic has three months to look for 
a new home after facing community opposition.

"The small communities we just seem to fit in. We become part of the 
community. There's been no confrontation, no major complaints.

"Calgary is totally different. NIMBY is alive and well."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom