WRITER MAKES CASE FOR METHADONE AS MEANS TO FIGHT DEBILITATING ADDICTION

Kudos to Robert E. Griffin for making the case for methadone. Methadone
maintenance has been proven to reduce drug use and related crime, death and
disease among chronic heroin users. It's also a viable treatment for
addiction to prescription painkillers like OxyContin. Contrary to popular
opinion, methadone staves off debilitating withdrawal symptoms, but does
not produce a high that prevents patients from living productive lives.

The tough-on-drugs alternative to harm reduction interventions like
methadone is a very real threat to public health and safety. Addicts would
not be sharing needles if not for zero-tolerance laws that restrict access
to clean syringes, nor would they be committing crimes to support their
habits if not for artificially inflated black-market prices. Whether we
like it or not, both drug use and drug laws are here to stay. It only makes
sense to try and minimize the harm associated with both.

Robert Sharpe, M.P.A.
Program Officer
Drug Policy Alliance
Washington, D.C.