New methadone clinic cuts wait for in-patient treatment

A new methadone clinic in Charlottetown that opened just over two months ago has 140 patients, eliminating wait times for those seeking in-patient treatment at other facilities.

Five family doctors with training in administering methadone and suboxone (a methadone alternative) opened the clinic in November.

Patients go to the clinic daily for methadone, used as a substitute for opioid drugs such as Oxycontin, Dilaudid and heroin. It can help some people eventually eliminate their opioid dependence.

"For the first time in many years, there is no wait for in-patient addictions beds," said Health and Wellness Minister Doug Currie in a news release.

"Right now on an average day, only half of the 24 beds are full and patients are able to be admitted immediately."

The decreasing need for inpatient opioid addiction treatment means that more patients are able to be admitted for alcohol, gambling and other addictions, says the province.

Dr. Peter Hooley, one of the clinic physicians, said in the news release that the clinic's early results are "truly amazing."

A number of patients are able to get back to work and resume other parts of their lives, says Hooley.

"I would think the indirect cost savings are in the hundreds of thousands, at least to this point, and there would be a significant decline in criminal activity," he said.

The province supports the clinic with $300,000 a year in funding.

More than 230 patients are receiving treatment at the Provincial Addictions Centre in Mount Herbert and 162 patients at the Summerside clinic, where there is no wait list.

With the three clinics, 534 Islanders are now receiving methadone. That's more than double the number from just over a year ago.