THE TRUTH ABOUT METHADONE

When, when, when are people going to bother to learn the facts BEFORE
making, and publishing, broad assumptions and instilling fear into
the hearts of ordinary people?

Last week the Sounder published a letter to the editor, unfortunately
under a title that gave it the weight of an actual,
factually-supported article, in which some very inflammatory remarks
were made by Louise Amuir. We are disappointed that the letter was
given the credence it was and saddened by the lack of facts and
evidence provided to support the comments that were made.

Yes, methadone is dispensed by our pharmacy per legal prescriptions
written by specifically authorized physicians. We are NOT a methadone
"dispensary" or clinic - we do not solely offer that medication. It
is one of many medications we dispense and it is used both for
treating heroine addiction and managing chronic pain. We have
patients using it for both purposes.

Not many, I might add. We've certainly had many more at various times
in the past. Those patients using it to treat heroine addiction must
comply with some pretty strict regulations and the slightest hint
that they are not complying results in immediate suspension from the program.

We have been dispensing methadone prescriptions for about 12 years.
Wow - what a crime wave we are having as a result! (Sarcasm
intended!) Crime statistics on Gabriola have never correlated to the
number of patients we have using methadone.

I've served on the Community/Police Liaison Committee. I've seen both sides.

Those are facts. Also, we are unaware of anyone moving here due to
the ability to obtain methadone from us. All our patients are, and
have been, existing residents!

In the beginning, we were requested by physicians to offer methadone
services to improve the compliance of their patients living on
Gabriola. At the time, they had to leave Gabriola to receive their
medication - no small task when they must be witnessed taking their
medication daily by the pharmacist! Other patients, also already
"residents," have reached the point where they were ready to adopt a
healthier lifestyle and methadone has been part of the solution for
them. No doubt, the healthy environment of Gabriola, being somewhat
removed from the "inner city" issues Louise raises, has contributed
to their success as well.

I, too, lock my doors and my car - because it is prudent to do so,
not because I am afraid of any of the patients we see here. You may
be interested to hear that many of these patients we've served over
the years have not only been among the more polite and respectful
clients we serve, but we have witnessed them go on to lead healthy,
productive lives and become contributing members of society.

We are proud of them and the role that we have played in their recovery.

Do you know anything about methadone treatment?

In the old days (20+ years ago), methadone was used to "detox"
patients, who were then sent on their way to manage as best they could.

Now, methadone is used to maintain abstinence. Consider a person with diabetes.

We wouldn't give them medication to bring their sugar levels back
into the proper range, then withdraw the medication and send them off
to keep it that way on their own, would we? Managing addiction has
the same philosophy as treating any other chronic medical condition -
chronic medication is often needed to maintain health.

Many studies, over many decades, confirm this. We can provide you
with references. Facts - not emotions, judgements or opinions.

And, since when does the community get to have a say in who gets
treated for what? A "vote rural" referendum doesn't have the
slightest connection to who is provided with legal and appropriate
medical treatment.

Maybe we should have some other referendums on medical issues?

Vote not to let the pharmacy dispense antidepressants so that
depressed people won't live on Gabriola because we want it to be a happy place?

Or, maybe we pharmacists should have the right to refuse treatment
due to our personal prejudices? Maybe we should refuse to provide
prescriptions for birth control because it's against some people's
religious beliefs?

Ridiculous!

You may be annoyed, Louise, but you are also un-or mis-informed.
Whether you choose to become educated about an issue is up to you,
but broadcasting your ignorance, to the detriment of my patients or
good medical care, is annoying to me.