METHADONE TREATMENT SOURCE TO BE CUT OFF

The Vernon-based physician who treats almost all of Kelowna's opiate
addicts through the B.C. Methadone program is no longer accepting new
clients from here.

As well, Dr. Robert Ross said he's given notice to the chief of staff at
Kelowna General Hospital that as of Nov. 1, he will no longer treat
existing clients from the Central Okanagan that have what he terms as
intensive management problems.

"I'm not going to leave anyone high and dry but it's about time Kelowna
took care of its own problem," said Ross, from his Vernon clinic.

Ross estimates 150 of the 450 methadone clients he sees are from the
Central Okanagan. "There's probably 300 or 400 more there that should be on
the program."

Ross said Kelowna is the only major town in B.C. that does not have a local
physician to administer the program.

He doesn't know why no local doctor will come forward but speculated it had
something to do with the stigma associated with the harm reduction program.

"The majority of people think of drug addicts as street people but the vast
majority live in nice houses and have good jobs," he said.

"We only come across them when they get in bad situations."

Ross said research shows 30 per cent of people suffer from some sort of
substance abuse problem with 10 per cent severely affected by it.

"If you follow that number through with a population of 150,000, there's
15,000 people that are severely affected," he added.

The doctor added that he had already refused the first new Kelowna patient
referred to him by the AIDS Resource Centre.

Daryle Roberts, executive director of ARC, confirmed their client, a heroin
addict, had been turned down for methadone treatment but did not blame Ross
for his decision.

"He's right, we should be looking after our own here in Kelowna," said
Roberts, who has been in contact with the Interior Health Authority about
other options.

"I'm concerned about our lack of access to a treatment that's recognized
for people with addictions."

Roberts said he's had some indication that the health authority is trying
to deal with the issue but would not give details.

Pat Townsley, addictions manager for the Okanagan Health Service Area, was
not available for comment.

A spokeswoman for the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons, which
administers the B.C. Methadone program, did not return calls to the Capital
News.