METHADONE EMBODIES PROS AND CONS

An information session on methadone treatment at the last Community Health
Council meeting became emotional after a former heroin addict and his mother
told their story.

Testimonials delivered by Aaron Bella and his mother, Eva, gave
health-council members a first-hand account of how a free-standing methadone
clinic would benefit addicts trying to kick their illegal drug habit.

Methadone maintenance involves the daily oral administration of methadone to
addicts over a prolonged period as an oral substitute for heroin or other
morphine-like drugs. Urine monitoring, continuing care, and counselling are
all parts of the program.

Aaron said he was a heroin addict for three years. He goes to Campbell River
once a month for methadone treatment but says the cost and time involved in
travelling makes it difficult. He'd like to see a methadone clinic
established in this community.

"It's done a lot of good things for me," said Aaron of the program.

The ministry of social development and economic security has a budget of
$500 a year to help people using methadone services with travel expenses.
However, Vicky Sanzalone, district supervisor for the ministry, said that
money runs out after five or six months so people quit the program and go
back to "steal or deal."

Two physicians in Powell River prescribe methadone to a relatively small
number of patients. However, because of the nature of the service, it has
become more of a challenge to provide within the confines of a small private
medical practice, said Dr. Nick White.

"A practice that has methadone patients gets stigmatized," said White.

Many patients travel out of the community to receive this service but,
because of the cost, many fail to stay with the program.

Eva Bella said it is the responsibility of the community to help those who
cannot help themselves.

Methadone maintenance can help people fit in with their families and
communities and it helps them focus on something positive rather than "where
am I going to get my next fix from," she said.

Because of the program, she said she's now able to talk to her son.

"We can communicate with him, we can love our son and he can love us. Please
help these people. Each one of them is not just a junkie; he or she is
someone's son or daughter."

Dr. Anna-Marie Maguire, who recently moved to Powell River, treated a large
number of heroin addicts while working in the Lower Mainland. She said she'd
like to make her services available here and has already received a number
of requests but, because she doesn't have a place where she could treat
these people, she can't.

"There's a sizable population of injection drug users in this community: 31
people in Powell River pick up methadone on a regular basis."

Noting that it costs between $50 to $200 a day to maintain a heroin habit,
Maguire said methadone maintenance is a cost-effective treatment.

"There is a lot of crime related to people who need to get money to continue
to use drugs."

Mike Galand, an addiction-care worker with an understanding of the methadone
maintenance program, expressed concern that he hadn't heard much about
getting people off methadone at the meeting. He said he knows of people who
are 18, 19, and 20 years old who had cocaine or mild opiate habits (such as
Tylenol Three) that now have a methadone habit. He wondered if people from
out-of-town would come to Powell River to use the service.

"There are a lot of issues that need to be looked at."

Maguire said the methadone program has changed a lot in the last five years
and is closely monitored.

The health council decided to set up a task force to look at the costs
involved in setting up a clinic.