METHADONE: THE LOWDOWN

Invented by the Germans during World War II, methadone is basically in the
same family as heroin with a big difference: It blocks the narcotic effects
of heroin but doesn't give a high. Since methadone can be given in exact
amounts, people can be weaned from it under supervision.

For instance, the average length of treatment at St. Luke's Unity Center for
Recovery's methadone maintenance treatment program is 1.7 years. But experts
say numbers don't tell the whole story: Patients often need many tries
before sticking with methadone; others stay for 20 years or so.

St. Luke's has treated more than 1,100 addicts since it opened its methadone
program 33 years ago.

Methadone officials fear that despite obvious crime reduction benefits from
methadone, Gov. George Pataki's substance abuse budget may be cut this year
because of the estimated $11.5 billion budget shortfall.

The budget line for substance abuse treatment "is already underfunded," says
Joe Cleary, president of The Renaissance Project, which runs a 100-bed
therapeutic program in Ellenville for drug use. (Renaissance does not have a
methadone program; the Ulster County Department of Mental Health runs one in
Kingston.)

But it's too early to tell, says Ira Wolff, chief administrator of the Unity
Center for Recovery in Newburgh.

Warns Walter Ginter, vice president of the National Alliance of Methadone
Advocates: "There is a danger [of losing funding.]"