Addicts get private treatment

Press, 7 September 1982, Page 3

Addicts get private treatment

Nelson reporter Some of the 15 patients in the Nelson-Marlborough region who had been receiving methadone support treatment for drug addiction under authorisation of the Christchurch Alcohol and Drug Dependence Clinic, are now being treated privately, by their practitioners. Until recently, when the death of a young woman focused attention on the Christchurch programme and the dispensing of methadone in Nelson, patients received their daily methadone doses from Nelson chemists under the authorisation of the Christchurch clinic. As a result of the criticisms of the programme, the head of the Christchurch clinic. Dr John Dobson, notified Nelson doctors that authorisations to dispense methadone would not be renewed when the permits expired. The announcement was greeted with consternation by some patients, but at the time there were prospects that a clinic would be set up in Nelson, similar to the one in Christchurch. The Medical Officer of Health in Nelson, Dr J. S. Roxburgh, said that it has not been possible to establish such a clinic. “We cannot find anybody willing to run such a clinic. Certainly no doctor has said he is willing. They are willing to help get people off

drugs, but not on drugs. They are willing to take people on withdrawal into Ngawhatu Hospital, but not keep them on drugs year after year.” he said. ■ Asked what was happening to the patients formerly on the methadone maintenance programme, Dr Roxburgh said that they would “have to wean themselves off it. or go to Christchurch to register at the Christchurch clinic. Some will not.” he said. The Medical superintendent of the Nelson Public Hospital Mr D. W. Loe, confirmed this. The subject of a clinic had been discussed among doctors but most were not in favour of it. “We will assist to wean them off it, but only private practitioners are involved,” he said. He knew of at least three such patients who were nowbeing treated by their own doctors, on, a withdrawal basis. “Thisi is with their consent and their wishes,” said Mr Low. He said that he had the power to authorise such methadone treatment, but he emphasised that the treatment was very much withdrawal oriented. The “problem” patients are those on the higher dose rates. One is receiving lOOmg daily and another more than lOOmg. It was essential, said Dr. Roxburgh,, that the dosages in these cases should be reduced as soon as possible.