EIGHT-IN-10 METHADONE PATIENTS USE CANNABIS

MORE than eight-in-10 drug users who are on methadone to wean them off
heroin continue to use cannabis, and some also use cocaine regularly,
according to new research.

A study of multi-drug use among methadone-treated patients of the
Health

Service Executive (HSE), North Dublin, found:

Of more than three-quarters of methadone patients with a history of
cocaine use, more than one-third had used it within the last month.

12% of methadone users were also using cocaine daily.

More than four-in-10 were using cannabis daily and two-in-10 were
using it once or twice a week.

A significant proportion of participants with a high frequency of
cocaine use was also using cannabis on a daily basis.

Over 70% of the participants were receiving a medium to high daily
dose of methadone.