METHADONE PLAN HITS WALL

A controversial bylaw to restrict how methadone is delivered was sent back
to city staff for more information, with several councillors questioning
whether the city has the authority to govern the dispensing of medicine.

The Leader reported Sunday that the city solicitor was planning to
introduce a bylaw that states "no person shall prescribe, sell, give or
provide in any manner whatsoever, methadone for consumption anywhere but on
the premises of a methadone dispensary or drug store."

The bylaw is hoped to eliminate the illegal street trade of methadone, a
drug commonly used to reduce the effects of heroin withdrawal. Physicians
already require that newly recovering heroin addicts take the drug in front
of a pharmacist, but as patients recover, they are allowed to take a few
days' supply home, called "carries," so they can pursue more normal lives.

Dr. Ray Baker, a member of the province's task force on addiction, called
the city "arrogant" last week for wading into the field of medicine.

On Monday, several city councillors were "uncomfortable" with the bylaw,
for legal and ethical reasons.

Coun. Dianne Watts, who introduced the bylaw, described it as "a place we
really didn't want to go."

She said senior levels of government need to understand the city is
frustrated with the methadone trade on the street "and we need some
assistance in this area."

Coun. Penny Priddy pointed out that one in five of the 8,000 methadone
patients in B.C. are entitled to carries.

"Many of these individuals are living the kind of lives we would want them
to live," Priddy said.

She was troubled by the notion that someone who now is gainfully employed,
and a functioning member of society, would have to tell their employer
they'll be late because they have to get their methadone.

She also pointed out that the city is targeting methadone, but failing to
deal with other pharmaceuticals traded on the street, including Valium,
Percodan, and Oxycontin.

Coun. Marvin Hunt wanted to know what authority Surrey had to legislate the
administration of drugs. He also questioned how methadone patients would
get their drug on weekends, when pharmacies are closed.

That said, he was also troubled by a program he sees as poorly regulated by
the College of Physicians, College of Pharmacists and the province.

"I'm amazed how many senior government problems are lived out locally,"
Hunt said. "I'm extremely frustrated."

Coun. Judy Villeneuve said the city was going beyond its authority with the
proposed bylaw.

"We're trying to take on something that's a health issue ... we're talking
about people's livelihoods."

Mayor Doug McCallum said that no one on council would suggest that the
methadone program isn't a worthwhile avenue of treatment.

"Where it ran into problems is the control end of it," McCallum said,
adding several authorities fail to acknowledge there's a problem with its
administration. "Around these methadone (dispensaries), the community has
been completely destroyed."

The staff report is expected back to the public safety committee as early
as next month.