Pubdate: Mon, 26 Nov 2007
Source: New Straits Times (Malaysia)
Copyright: 2007 New Straits Times
Contact:  http://www.nst.com.my/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3734

THE LESSER EVIL

WITH a relapse rate as high as 70 per cent, it had  become evident
very early in the longstanding war  against the country's public enemy
number one that the  regimen of cold turkey detoxification,
paramilitary  discipline and counselling in Pusat Serenti had been a
less than smashing success.

However, in the absence of  other proven methods, the strategy had
been to build  even more rehab centres and incarcerate as many addicts
  as possible.

But with some 250,000 addicts on the  official register, and with drug
users making up 75 per  cent of the 73,000 HIV-positive cases, the
point had  been reached where there was a dire need for fresh
directions. As a result, over the last two years, we've  explored
alternative methods of rehabilitation and  experimented with
drug-substitution therapy.

While it  is too early to tell, the results of this  drug-substitution
method so far look promising. But  like the "harm reduction"
programmes to contain the  spread of HIV/AIDS, where drug users
exchange dirty  needles for clean syringes and get free condoms, the
idea of treating drug addiction with drugs appears to  have run into
some resistance.

While at least 2,000 of  the 12,000 general practitioners in the
country are  required, fewer than 500 have registered for the
drug-substitution programme. The "drug pusher" label  that is said to
stick to those doctors who have no  qualms about prescribing a patent
drug seems to  indicate that this is somehow deemed unethical.
Although methadone and the other replacement drugs are  admittedly
themselves addictive, since the results of  the drug-substitution
therapy appear encouraging, this  should put a whole new perspective
on whatever moral  dilemma is raised. After all, many prescription or
over-the-counter drugs are addictive, or can become so  if misused. In
a situation where methadone or other  substitute drugs are being used
to address the  addiction to psychotropic drugs such as heroin and
Ecstasy, they should perhaps be regarded as simply the  lesser evil.

But the stigma apparently attached to drug-substitution  therapy
within the medical fraternity speaks volumes  about the bias and
prejudice that addicts face in their  fight to kick the habit. They
are shunned by their  families and ostracised by society when what
they need  most is a lot of support and tender loving care.

We  need to break down the medical, mental and social  barriers
towards addiction if we are to make any  progress towards a drugs-free
society.
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MAP posted-by: Derek