NEW PLAN FOR DRUG ADDICTS' CONTROL

DRUG addicts, trying to wean themselves off heroin by using the legal
substitute methodone could soon be taking the drug under supervision of
pharmacists in Norwich.

The move comes in a bid to cut down on the rising tide of overdose deaths
in the city.

Instead of the addicts being given a supply of the drug on prescription
they will tale their doses at city pharmacies.

The possible move has been given a cautious welcome by pharmacists in the
city.

Chris Lewis, manager of Boots in Castle Mall and a member of the East
Norfolk local pharmacy committee, said: "I think it could be done and we
would be willing to try anything that helps the patient."

"But you would have to be very careful to make sure it is done in a
discreet manner and does not disturb any other customers."

News of the "supervised consumption" idea comes amid a rising tide of
deaths linked to methadone.

Norwich coroner William Armstrong said: "My impression is that deaths have
increased over the last few months."

"There is a large number of them, there is no doubt about that at all. And
they are particularly distressing and unpleasant."

"They are often people with long standing histories of drug abuse - people
who are trying to recover with professional help - but they take methadone,
then take more and more of it and die from that."

Under supervised consumption of methadone patients would take only measured
doses of the drug in front of a specialised worker or pharmacist. According
to Mary Mustoe, co-ordinator of the Norfolk Drug Action Team the move may
also help combat a widespread illegal trade in the drug.

Ms Mustoe said: "The controls have not been as strict in the past and there
has been more illegally available methodone."

Checked-by: Richard Lake