Pubdate: Fri, 20 Nov 2015
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Page: 14

COLLEGE DEFENDS METHADONE FEE

Methadone-dispensing fees that are the focus of legal action in
British Columbia must be charged to secure crucial support services
for recovering addicts, says a doctor from Vancouver Island.

Dr. Jane Clelland said while the province pays for physicians and
drugs, public money doesn't cover counselling, which she called necessary.

Counselling is also a service supported by the B.C. College of
Physicians and Surgeons.

"They don't expect you just to see the patient, they expect you to
provide a program," Clelland said in an interview about the
medical-licensing and regulatory body.

"The clinic is supposed to help rehabilitate the person and get them a
normal life and you're not going to do that only with methadone."

The treatment program has come under scrutiny after a proposed
class-action lawsuit was launched against the province over the $18.34
additional fee automatically taken from the cheques of addicts on
income assistance.

The fee agreement referenced in court documents is $60, which is
reduced by $41.66 through a government-provided Alcohol and Drug Supplement.

The remaining money is drawn from a client's monthly support
allowance, according to documents filed this month in B.C. Supreme
Court.

"I can see why this Pivot Legal Society thinks it's wrong to take
money from these patients, and I agree," said Clelland. "But unless
the whole system changes, if they just take away that money, then
there's basically no way to run these programs."

Pivot is a legal advocacy group that works on behalf of marginalized
groups.

The legal action was launched by representative plaintiff Laura
Shaver, who is addicted to heroin. She said she signed a
government-drafted agreement "unwillingly and under duress" to
authorize the deduction of money from her welfare cheques.

Health Minister Terry Lake said the government is reviewing the way it
delivers opioid-dependence services with an eye towards modernizing
and improving the program.

He said the added fee was also under review but wouldn't say if it
would be scrapped.

"Halfway through 2016 I think you will see significant changes in the
way methadone and opioid addiction is treated in the province of
British Columbia," said Lake.

There are 16,457 people in B.C. enrolled in the methadone maintenance
treatment program, and about two thirds of them receive income
assistance.
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MAP posted-by: Matt