Pubdate: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2002 Calgary Herald Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n453/a12.html Author: Robert Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) METHADONE WORKS Re: "Methadone clinic sought to stop epidemic," March 13. Thank you for raising awareness of methadone maintenance as a means of reducing drug-related harm. Methadone is the most effective treatment for heroin addiction. Contrary to popular belief, methadone is able to stave off potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms without producing a high that prevents patients from living productive lives. Methadone therapies have reduced drug use and related crime, death and disease among chronic heroin users. Public health and safety are at stake. Addicts would not be sharing needles if not for zero-tolerance laws that restrict access to clean syringes, nor would they be committing crimes to support their habits if not for artificially inflated black-market prices. Methadone maintenance is an alternative approach to drug policy and treatment that seeks to minimize the adverse effects of drug use and drug prohibition. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse. Robert Sharpe, Washington, D.C. Robert Sharpe is program officer for the Drug Policy Alliance. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl