MEDICINE WITHIN REACH FOR MOST

It is relatively straightforward for a Melbourne heroin addict to join the
state's methadone program.

To receive the synthetic opiate, an addict must visit one of about 250
general practitioners registered to prescribe it. The doctor will compile a
medical and drug-use history of the addict.

It is possible for an addict to receive methadone within about 12 to 24
hours of the first consultation. In other states there are waiting lists,
doctors say.

About 320 Victorian pharmacies are registered to dispense methadone. The
drug must almost always be taken at the pharmacy, in front of the
pharmacist. The syrupy drug is taken orally with water, and sometimes cordial.

Doctors say methadone is a safe drug but some people encounter side effects
such as constipation, sweating, weight loss and depression. They say it has
no serious side-effects unless a patient overdoses on it.

Turning Point's research director, Dr Alison Ritter, said the methadone
program worked extremely well. ``There's eight times less chance of dying
if you are on methadone than if you are using heroin,'' she said.