PHARMACY MAY SOON DISPENSE METHADONE

The Seafair Safeway outlet at No. 1 and Francis roads is considering
dispensing methadone to recovering drug addicts.

The Richmond Review has learned that management of the in-store pharmacy is
considering the move which would make it only the second pharmacy in the
city to perform the service.

Dr. Ann Vogel, clinical consultant for Richmond Health Services, said she's
not heard about the plan, but if it is true she'd be supportive of it.

Currently, she said, only one pharmacy in Richmond-McCue Drugs at 8120 Cook
Rd.-fills out methadone prescriptions. In addition, there is a methadone
clinic inside Richmond Hospital.

But neither are open after work hours, making it challenging for people
trying to kick the drug habit to obtain methadone, she said.

"I have not heard they are going to do that," Vogel said. "I would be
pleased for my working patients if they could do that."

Methadone is a potent narcotic used to relieve severe pain and as a
substitute for heroin.

Tom Fawkes, spokesperson for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union
local 1518, said other Safeway outlets in the Lower Mainland already
dispense methadone.

The program, he said, was first developed a few years ago by the Ministry
of Health and the College of Physicians and Surgeons to enable recovering
addicts to obtain the drug directly in their own neighbourhood.

"These people are far more likely to get methadone treatment in their
community than go downtown," Fawkes said.

"Drug addiction is not Hastings and Main. It's next door...it's all over.
There are people with abuse problems everywhere."

Union members expressed concerns about the program when it was brought into
other Safeway outlets a couple of years ago, but when the union
investigated, it found no basis for fears that employees would be exposed
to violent drug addicts.

The union has no information that this program is dangerous, Fawkes said.

Derek Lee, regional pharmacy manager for Canada Safeway, wouldn't say if
and when the Seafair Safeway pharmacy will start the program.

"Nothing has been decided at this point."