Pubdate: Wed, 22 May 2002
Source: Rutland Herald (VT)
Copyright: 2002 Rutland Herald
Contact:  http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/892
Author: Rich Carlson
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

THERE IS A PLACE FOR METHADONE

During the 1960s, heroin use reached epidemic proportions in the 
United States, spawning significant increases in crime and deaths 
from overdose. This stimulated a search for innovative and more 
effective methods to treat the growing number of individuals 
dependent on opiates. This search resulted in the use of a chemical 
substance called methadone hydrochloride to maintain those 
individuals with opiate dependence.

The 1998 National Institutes of Health consensus conference 
maintained the methadone maintenance treatment, while not for 
everyone, was effective in reducing illicit opiate drug use, reducing 
crime, enhancing social productivity and reducing the spread of AIDS 
and hepatitis.

While education and prevention programs are extremely important, drug 
addicts, like alcoholics, are another segment of our population in 
need of attention. It would be inhumane not to provide treatment. 
Vermont is only one of eight states currently not offering the full 
array of methadone maintenance treatment. Ninety-five percent of our 
heroin addicts commit crimes to support their addiction. The 
financial costs of untreated opiate dependence to the individual, the 
family and society are in excess of $110 billion per year. Every $1 
spent on treatment saves $7 in other costs.

There are many people in recovery in the community in respected 
professions leading healthy, productive lives. People do recover from 
addictions. The 1998 National Institutes of Health consensus 
conference states that evidence has accumulated on the 
neurobiological aspects of opiate dependence and concluded that 
opiate dependence is a brain-related disorder with the 
characteristics of a mental illness.

It's less costly and more efficient to have a stand-alone 
comprehensive substance abuse treatment center than having one 
attached to a hospital because of the cost of overhead. A stand-alone 
methadone treatment clinic would be ineffective. If done in 
conjunction with providing counseling, health care, housing and 
employment assistance, it would ensure a greater likelihood of 
recovery from opiate dependence. A comprehensive methadone treatment 
program will not add to our already increasing drug and crime 
statistics. It may, in fact, allow some opiate dependent addicts to 
recover and return to gainful employment, leaving a lifestyle of 
crime behind.

Rich Carlson

Mendon
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