Pubdate: Fri, 23 May 2003
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: John McDonald,
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

METHADONE TREATMENT SOURCE TO BE CUT OFF

The Vernon-based physician who treats almost all of Kelowna's opiate 
addicts through the B.C. Methadone program is no longer accepting new 
clients from here.

As well, Dr. Robert Ross said he's given notice to the chief of staff at 
Kelowna General Hospital that as of Nov. 1, he will no longer treat 
existing clients from the Central Okanagan that have what he terms as 
intensive management problems.

"I'm not going to leave anyone high and dry but it's about time Kelowna 
took care of its own problem," said Ross, from his Vernon clinic.

Ross estimates 150 of the 450 methadone clients he sees are from the 
Central Okanagan. "There's probably 300 or 400 more there that should be on 
the program."

Ross said Kelowna is the only major town in B.C. that does not have a local 
physician to administer the program.

He doesn't know why no local doctor will come forward but speculated it had 
something to do with the stigma associated with the harm reduction program.

"The majority of people think of drug addicts as street people but the vast 
majority live in nice houses and have good jobs," he said.

"We only come across them when they get in bad situations."

Ross said research shows 30 per cent of people suffer from some sort of 
substance abuse problem with 10 per cent severely affected by it.

"If you follow that number through with a population of 150,000, there's 
15,000 people that are severely affected," he added.

The doctor added that he had already refused the first new Kelowna patient 
referred to him by the AIDS Resource Centre.

Daryle Roberts, executive director of ARC, confirmed their client, a heroin 
addict, had been turned down for methadone treatment but did not blame Ross 
for his decision.

"He's right, we should be looking after our own here in Kelowna," said 
Roberts, who has been in contact with the Interior Health Authority about 
other options.

"I'm concerned about our lack of access to a treatment that's recognized 
for people with addictions."

Roberts said he's had some indication that the health authority is trying 
to deal with the issue but would not give details.

Pat Townsley, addictions manager for the Okanagan Health Service Area, was 
not available for comment.

A spokeswoman for the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons, which 
administers the B.C. Methadone program, did not return calls to the Capital 
News.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom