MAN FORCED TO DEFY HIS RELIGION FOR METHADONE

A Surrey man who is both a recovering heroin addict and a Jehovah's
Witness says he was compelled to go against his religious convictions
in order to get a methadone prescription.

Ralph Wallace, 46, said the Whalley doctor he's been going to for two
years for methadone told him Wednesday he would have to give a blood
sample before a prescription would be issued. Methadone is a synthetic
narcotic used to wean addicts off heroin.

Wallace said in the 10 years he's been on the methadone program he has
never before been asked for blood. Until now, he said, urine samples
were enough. Urine samples are used to detect illegal drug use in
methadone program participants.

Wallace said he's never had a "dirty" urine sample and can't
understand why his doctor insisted on a blood sample.

"My doctor told me I couldn't have my prescription unless I got blood
work done. Period. It's against my religion. I'm not supposed to give
blood," he said. "If I'd been told 10 years ago I would have to give
blood, I wouldn't have gone into the program. It's real sacred to me,
period."

Wallace said he complied with the doctor's demand and gave a blood
sample because he needed his methadone, but he's angry it was forced
on him.

"I had to do it. He was going to cut me off cold turkey if I didn't. I
asked him why and he says he's being audited and the college says I
have to give a blood sample."

The province's methadone program is administered by the College of
Physicians and Surgeons of B.C. Peter Hickey heads up the department
responsible.

Hickey said the college requires methadone patients to give only urine
samples, not blood samples. But he said individual doctors can ask for
blood samples and said there could be a number of reasons why they
would.

"It's difficult to comment without knowing the specifics of this
particular case, but that's certainly not our policy," Hickey said.

"There could be a whole range of reasons why the doctor would require
that. The patient could be experiencing withdrawal symptoms, for
instance, or to see if the dosage is appropriate."

Hickey said the college audits doctors who prescribe methadone to make
sure standards of care are being maintained and that the patients are
being properly cared for.

"I don't know why the doctor would require this just before an audit.
Maybe he just wants to be sure he's crossed all his t's and dotted all
his i's."

Wallace's doctor could not be reached for comment before deadline.