MORE RESIDENTS SEEKING METHADONE TREATMENT

FORT FRANCES-The number of area residents taking methadone to curb
their addiction to opioids has taken a dramatic leap over the past
year.

In 2007, the area had six patients taking methadone. The total this
year is at least 50-and perhaps as many as 60.

"There have definitely been more people accessing the programs," said
Jeff Tilbury of Riverside Community Counselling Services here.

"I think the message is getting out there that methadone is a viable
treatment option for people [with opioid addictions]," he added.

Tilbury said when someone finally realizes that enough is enough, they
just don't have the means to quit. They try to quit on their own using
different methods but in the end, sometimes it comes down to methadone
being the last option.

Pharmasave pharmacist Craig Armstong described methadone as "a
replacement to the narcotic that they are currently taking."

"It is a legal long-term substitute for the opioid that they are
currently addicted to for the purpose of reducing substance abuse and
reducing the high-risk activities that come with it," he explained.

"My understanding is that methadone prevents a craving. It takes the
place of the other opioid," echoed Tilbury. "Methadone is an opioid,
as well, but when people use it, it doesn't create the euphoria or the
high.

"It allows the person to not feel sick or not feel the craving for the
drug.

"Also, it's a longer-lasting drug in the body, lasting anywhere from
24-36 hours depending on the dose people are on," he added. "That's
why they only need to take it once a day.

"It's called maintenance therapy."

Tilbury said those who are taking methadone as a means to end their
addiction can remain on this "maintenance therapy" for a short period
of time or for a lifetime-it all depends on the person.

Methadone is a drug these fragile people tend to depend on. In fact,
critics contend that methadone is just a legalized form of drug addiction.

Even Tilbury conceded he's heard people say, "I'm just replacing one
addiction with another." But he argues this is just a misunderstanding
of what methadone really is and what it does.

"I wouldn't call it an addictive quality," he remarked. "It's
maintenance. It's a therapeutic drug in that it maintains people in a
different way than their drug of choice did.

"They do become dependent on it but they are not addicted," he
stressed.

Tilbury described addiction as being a behavioural problem. When
someone is addicted, it's not so much the use of the drug that's the
problem as is the behaviour that goes along with it.

From the stealing to needle sharing, and the obsession that comes
while moving from one high to the next, these are the real problems in
addiction.

Methadone, Tilbury insisted, is effective in that it removes those
high-risk and dangerous behaviours from the dependency.

"Methadone reduces their addictive behaviour in the sense that they
are not drug-seeking, they're not having to steal, and they are able
to maintain themselves for a longer period of time between doses, so
that they can actually get their life back on track and in order."

He admitted dependency on the maintenance drug is possible-and often
probable. Often, when it comes time for someone to be weaned off of
methadone, they can experience some of the typical symptoms of withdrawal.

But Tilbury assured that, generally, it is not nearly as hard coming
off of it than it is coming off of drugs like oxycontin or morphine.

Still, it is this withdrawal period that often acts as a deterrent.
Between the possible withdrawal symptoms and the costs that come with
going through the program, addicts seem to not want to deal with methadone.

The cost of the drug, including dispensing fees, typically is $7 or $8
a day, though Armstrong noted these fees often are covered by those on
social assistance or who hold other health care or benefits packages.

However, even if the person doesn't need to pay for their daily dose,
they still have to travel to Kenora or Dryden one-four times a month
for check-ups and it is this cost of travelling that often keeps
addicts from reaching for the methadone in their time of need.

Locally, there are no doctors who are able to prescribe methadone,
leaving Kenora or Dryden as the only available options for addicts
here.

For a patient to be prescribed methadone initially requires them to be
monitored by a physician once a week. Eventually, that monitoring
frequency drops to once a month-but even that still can be a burden
for some, especially considering the high cost of gas these days.

On top of that, Tilbury noted some people are unable to find
transportation to Kenora or Dryden that often, regardless if they have
money or not.

He predicted many more patients would be involved in the methadone
program if it were more readily accessible locally.

With the rising number of people seeking the program, there may be a
need one day to get a doctor here who can prescribe the treatment.
However, there's no indication of a move in that direction at this
time.