Pubdate: Mon, 07 Mar 2005
Source: Kenora Daily Miner And News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Kenora Daily Miner and News
Contact:  http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/855
Author: Shelley Bujold
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?136 (Methadone)

METHADONE CLINIC HAS FIRST PATIENTS

A Methadone Clinic At Lake Of The Woods District Hospital Is Soon To Be 
Officially Up And Running.

A methadone clinic at Lake of the Woods District Hospital is soon to be 
officially up and running.

The clinic, the first at the hospital, already has 18 patients starting on 
the program being run by Dr. Sean Moore, chief of staff, and Dr. Hanna 
Hulsbosch.

Methadone is an opiate drug treatment to help eliminate addictions to drugs 
like heroine and oxycontin. The powder is mixed with juice and taken orally 
by patients in front of a pharmacist daily. This program is unique, said 
Hulsbosch, because it not only provides the methadone it also provides 
support services.

"We're trying to do a full primary care," Hulsbosch said.

The program offers counseling services to help people get their lives back 
on track and full medical attention to get the people involved back to a 
normal functioning state. Hulsbosch said most of the patients are already 
getting back to a normal life. Many have gotten jobs within the community 
and now have housing.

"We can stabilize them to set the right dose so they can do anything anyone 
else can do," said Moore.

The patients take a urine test every week and are constantly monitored on 
the program. Patients can stay on it for several years but most are weaned 
off within a couple of years -- it's customized to each person's needs.

"This is really useful and necessary," said Dr. Pete Sarsfield, member of 
the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Board.

The board showed concern the two doctors running the clinic may overwork 
themselves, but the doctors said they are working on a plan to avoid burn out.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom