METHADONE FORUM HELD TO DISPEL MYTHS ABOUT DRUG

What Is Methadone? And Why Do People Use It?

Those were some of the questions asked at a forum hosted Tuesday by the
Whalley Business Improvement Association (BIA).

President Pete Nichols said the forum's goal was to educate area residents
and businesses on the drug, which he says is surrounded by "myth."

Methadone is used to assist heroin addicts in getting off their harmful
habit, and staying off.

The well-established programs have come under fire in this city, primarily
over street sales of the drug, and the number of methadone dispensaries
which have located in the area over the past several years. Some believe
the outlets attract more addicts to the community, with associated problems.

"Before you can discuss or condemn, you have to know the real facts behind
it," Nichols said Monday. "There's a lot of functioning methadone patients
out there ... but as soon as the word methadone comes up, some people close
their mind."

The forum consisted of panel presentations from pharmacy representatives,
doctors, methadone patients and addictions specialists. Surrey Coun.
Barbara Steele attended and said it was an eye-opening experience.

She was particularly impressed by two methadone patients who said the
treatment was necessary for them to continue functioning.

"It spoke highly of the methadone program, it spoke well of what it can
do," Steele said. "Everybody was convinced it's a really good program (but)
it's only a good program if it's not misused."