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. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt