Pubdate: Mon, 11 Mar 2002
Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2002
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/144
Author: Cormac O'Keeffe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

GPS 'BEST TO TREAT HEROIN ADDICTS'

FAMILY doctors are the best people to treat heroin addicts trying to come 
off the drug, according to research, but not enough doctors are treating 
addicts and more GPs and pharmacists are badly needed in order to reduce 
the waiting list for methadone treatment.

Pharmacists are refusing to take on new clients in a row with the 
Department of Health over deregulation of the industry.

Health authorities and voluntary groups working with addicts have warned 
this will create a backlog in the system and add to waiting lists, causing 
hardship for addicts and their families.

The problem could be made even worse, if GPs take industrial action next 
month in a row between the Irish Medical Organisation and the Department of 
Health over unimplemented deals with GPs.

Research carried out by the Health Research Board among addicts receiving 
treatment found they preferred being treated by their GP, rather than drug 
treatment centres:

* GP programmes required less frequent attendance and greater flexibility 
on attendance times.

* GP programmes meant less contact with other drug users and the drug 
culture that dominates many government clinics.

* GP programmes also removed recovering addicts from the general drug scene.

* Users felt less stigmatised by attending a GP rather than a methadone 
clinic, helping to break links with the drugs community.
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MAP posted-by: Ariel