METHADONE'S NO PANACEA

Regarding the editorial "Giuliani Rethinks Drug Treatment" {Jan. 20}: Mayor
Rudolph Guiliani is right in this case. The patients who receive methadone
not only abuse it but sell their "spit-backs" to other addicts. That sounds
disgusting, doesn't it? But that is what takes place in the real world,
which obviously is not the world of Newsday.

Although there are a few who have returned to productive society on
methadone, most are still using it, along with whatever else they can use,
and continue on the program because they receive public assistance. The
system is shooting itself in the foot by becoming the addict's chief enabler.

Short-term methadone use has its place in a controlled environment; but it
has been proved over years of clinical studies that acupuncture, along with
treatment, also dissipates the cravings of the heroin addict. Methadone is
enslaving hundreds of thousands of people and preventing them from getting
on with their lives. George W. Benedict. Westhampton Beach. Editor's Note:
The writer is chairman of the board of the Seafield Center, a
rehabilitation facility.