RE: 'More Ontarians addicted to prescription drugs: docs' Sept. 17.

People suffering from opiod dependence belong to all social classes and professions. Many of them are functional and maintain employment, while others are not. They may abuse prescription opiods dispensed at the pharmacy or obtained without a prescription. There is an active market for prescription opiods and only a portion of addicted individuals participate in illegal activities to obtain them.

It is fortunate that addiction treatment is available in Ontario. Comprehensive programs providing opiod substitution (like Suboxone and methadone) in combination with counseling and sober support have been shown to be effective to recover from opiod addiction, even more so than medication treatment alone.

Addiction Services of Eastern Ontario

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