METHADONE WORKS

Re: "Methadone clinic sought to stop epidemic," March 13. Thank you for
raising awareness of methadone maintenance as a means of reducing
drug-related harm. Methadone is the most effective treatment for heroin
addiction. Contrary to popular belief, methadone is able to stave off
potentially deadly withdrawal symptoms without producing a high that
prevents patients from living productive lives. Methadone therapies have
reduced drug use and related crime, death and disease among chronic heroin
users.

Public health and safety are at stake. 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. Methadone maintenance is an
alternative approach to drug policy and treatment that seeks to minimize
the adverse effects of drug use and drug prohibition. Drug abuse is bad,
but the drug war is worse.

Robert Sharpe, Washington, D.C.

Robert Sharpe is program officer for the Drug Policy Alliance.