METHADONE CLINIC MAKING A DIFFERENCE

One year has passed since the opening of the methadone clinic at the
Morning Star Centre and Dr. Hanna Hulsbosch said it has been running
successfully.

She said the program, which includes not only the methadone treatment
but a lot of intense counselling and life coaching, has been making a
difference in a lot of people's lives.

"It's amazing how these people are transforming," she said. "They're
cleaning up, they're getting jobs, they're parenting well rather than
chasing the drugs."

Methadone helps wean people off opiate drugs, like heroin, by
blocking their need for its addictive cycle. Patients drink the
methadone while being carefully monitored until they are deemed
responsible to take it on their own.

Hulsbosch said there are 50 patients being seen currently and there
are some new ones who inquire about the program regularly. She's at
the centre two days per week spending as long as an hour per visit
with her patients.

Although she feels the patients are getting satisfaction from the
program, she said it would be interesting to get their view through a
survey at some point.

"I'm very proud of the people," she said.

The Ontario government recently put together a methadone task force
to help regulate clinics and look at the quality for patients trying
to kick their habit. This comes after a large operation in Southern
Ontario was revealed to have been abusing its privilege to offer methadone.

The clinic was running a private lab along with the practice and
profiting from patients.

The task force is going to look at how methadone is being used, how
to better train health care professionals, how to help a community
establish or relocate clinics, its quality and payment models.

Hulsbosch said she agrees with the government in wanting to ensure
quality at the clinics but is a little bit worried if they bring in
funding only for volumes of patients. Because Kenora's is relatively
small, she hopes the government doesn't have a set minimum number of
patients required for a clinic to operate.

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman said this
group of people will ensure people are getting the right treatment
across the province.

Hulsbosch reiterated the program's impact on the community, adding
it's been a rewarding experience to see the positives.