ADDICTS SEEKING METHADONE TREATMENT IN PROVINCE FACING A 12-WORD ROADBLOCK

SAINT JOHN - Twelve words in a provincial document are preventing
addicts from getting treatment.

In the New Brunswick Prescription Drug Formulary - a document that
lists the drugs that are eligible benefits under the province's
prescription drug program - methadone can only be prescribed for two
circumstances.

The first is for the treatment of severe cancer-related or chronic
non-malignant pain as an alternative to other opioids. The second
states, "For the treatment of opioid dependence as an adjunct to
psychosocial interventions."

The second reason means methadone can only be given to an addict as
part of a comprehensive treatment program, including counselling and
other social services. That is what takes place at Ridgewood Addiction
Services' methadone maintenance treatment program.

However, the program is full with more than 80 names on the wait list.
A pilot program proposed by Tim Christie, chairman of ethics services
for the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation, is ready to go, but the
wording in the formulary prevents it from going forward.

Christie's proposal would provide methadone and nothing else - no
counselling, for example - to 45 people on the wait list. Another 45
would simply remain on the wait list.

The study would track and compare the two groups' results.

"This is based on scientific literature that says if you take two
people that are both opiate addicts and you give one methadone and the
other nothing, the person you give methadone will do vastly better on
almost every conceivable outcome," Christie said in a September interview.

However, because no counselling is provided, the study - which has
already received $30,000 from the Health Promotion Research Fund, a
joint venture between AHSC and the University of New Brunswick Saint
John - cannot begin.

A conference call was held last week with the working group that deals
with the provincial methadone program, said Department of Health
spokeswoman Meghan Cumby. The policy in the formulary blocking the
pilot program was discussed during the call.

"That concern was brought up, discussed and it's being taken under
advisement," Cumby said.

However, should the group decide the policy needs to be changed, it
would only be a recommendation.

"Any sort of change in the policy would have to go up the line," Cumby
said.

If the wording in the formulary was changed, allowing methadone to be
prescribed for treatment of addiction without counselling, it would
clear Christie to implement the pilot project. Christie declined
comment for the story.

As for how the change could benefit the Ridgewood program, regional
director of community relations and marketing regional health
authority B Erin Barnes said it's a provincial issue and would not
comment.