METHADONE TREATMENT HELPS PATIENTS RETURN TO TOP

In response to an article Sept. 14, our mission [at Appalachian Treatment
Services, where Mr. Skelskey is sponsor/director] is to provide
rehabilitation and medical support services to persons addicted to opioid
drugs. This rehabilitation consists of medication-assisted treatments as
well as intensive counseling aimed at reducing or eliminating the use of
illicit drugs.

Our focus is directed at the patient and family to support the individual
in treatment. Patients are treated with dignity and respect, improving
self-esteem and fostering a healing environment.

Commonwealth's Attorney Marcus McClung pointed to the attitude of the
clinic's visitors stating, "Nothing matters except staying high." Patients
who access services are seeking treatment for the disease of addiction. To
these patients everything else, home family and children, does matter. That
is why they seek treatment.

My associate and I have opened or operated at least eight clinics in the
past 10 years. None of the patients was homeless, sleeping in abandoned
buildings, under bridges or on the streets near the clinics. A clinic does
not bring "pushers and dealers" into the area. It meets a need by treating
individuals already in the area.

Methadone does not impair cognitive functions. It has no adverse effects on
mental capability, intelligence or employability. It is not sedating or
intoxicating, nor does it interfere with ordinary activities such as
driving a car or operating machinery. Patients are able to feel pain and
experience emotional reactions. Most importantly, methadone relieves the
craving associated with opiate addiction. For methadone patients, typical
street doses of heroin are ineffective at producing euphoria, making the
use of heroin less desirable. Methadone treatment greatly reduces criminal
behavior. The decline in predatory crimes is likely in part because
methadone maintenance treatment patients no longer need to finance a costly
heroin addiction or prescription drugs and because treatment allows many
patients to stabilize their lives and return to legitimate employment.
These facts are supported by the NIH, SAMHSA and the Office of National
Drug Control Policy.

Richard J. Skelskey

Bristol, Va.