Cut methadone wait now, addict says
A woman addicted to morphine is calling on the Newfoundland and Labrador government to immediately increase treatment for substance abusers.
More than 170 people are being treated at a government-run methadone clinic in St. John's.
Another 70 drugs users are on the waiting list, even though the clinic opened only last June. It is the only methadone clinic in the province.
- FROM APRIL 27, 2006: Methadone clinic needs boost: MD
She has been told she will have to wait another eight months to be treated at the methadone clinic.
"They're going to have to find someone to distribute methadone to the people who need it, because there [are] still a lot of people out there crying out for help and they are not getting it," she said.
Darlene has tried quitting on her own, but has found withdrawal too painful.
Her children are now with a grandmother. Darlene admits she cannot take them back until she is off morphine.
"I have three children who need me and I need them, and I don't want to be using drugs. I hate it, having to explain to my children why Mommy is sick all the time," she said.
Dr. Millan Khara, a Vancouver physician who prescribes methadone at a clinic there, said an eight-month waiting time for treatment is unacceptable.
He said drug addicts are dangerous to the public and to themselves.
"They're exposing themselves to risk â risk of becoming hepatitis C-infected â but there are wider costs to society," said Khara, who also worked at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.
"The majority of people who are dependent on injection opiates are committing crime to maintain their habit."
Darlene said that describes her situation exactly.
She said until she gets treatment, she will continue to inject morphine and do whatever she has to do â including breaking the law â to get it.
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is adding four nurses to the staff roster of the methadone clinic, but they will not be starting until this summer.
The government has, to date, been unable to find additional physicians to work shifts at the clinic.