Methadone Program - a lifesaver for drug addicts

(Baonghean) - Methadone, chemically known as 6-(Dimethyl lamino), is an opioid agonist, meaning it has similar effects to opioids, but the effects last longer and are milder than heroin.

The drug is provided free of charge by the Ministry of Health to treatment facilities through the Central Pharmaceutical Company 1. Treatment with methadone has a long-lasting effect, is low-cost, and is taken orally; reduces the risks of heroin overdose... In particular, addicts stop committing illegal acts due to the hallucinations of drugs; improve and stabilize relationships with family and community. For those who cannot stop using heroin, methadone is a safer drug and helps them gradually reduce their dependence. On the other hand, this is a strong drug and can be dangerous if used incorrectly. The greatest effect of methadone is that patients no longer crave drugs and are healthy, can work normally, and reduce crime and infectious diseases. This can be considered a safe alternative to help addicts stop using heroin; at the same time, control the transmission of HIV/AIDS in the community. Furthermore, methadone users do not experience the side effects and destructive phenomena caused by drugs.

The first patients in Xiangyang district were treated with Methadone.

After successfully piloting in Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City, the methadone substitution treatment program for drug addiction continues to be expanded in a number of provinces and cities, including Nghe An. Permitted by the Prime Minister to apply methadone treatment in drug addiction treatment and HIV/AIDS prevention and control, in September 2011, the People's Committee of Nghe An province decided to allow the Nghe An HIV/AIDS Prevention Center to implement this program. The Nghe An HIV/AIDS Prevention Center has built facilities, trained people, and sought funding sources for drugs. On September 4, 2012, the Nghe An HIV/AIDS Prevention Center officially applied methadone treatment in drug addiction treatment and HIV/AIDS prevention and control...

After more than 2 years of implementing the drug addiction treatment program using methadone therapy, the effectiveness of this treatment is very clear: During the treatment process, no patients showed symptoms of overdose due to methadone; no patients showed serious side effects; Significantly reduced drug use behavior in the group of patients participating in the treatment. The majority of patients had improved health, positive changes in attitude and life after a period of treatment. The rate of patients with law violations has decreased, contributing to improving the security and order situation in the community. The security and order situation in the area is stable.

The number of new addicts in the community tends to decrease, in which, Vinh City reduced 114 cases in 2013, this is the locality with the highest reported decrease in the number of addicts in the province, and is the first year, the locality has decreased the number of new addicts. It can be said that the methadone program is a lifesaver, opening a new page in the life of drug addicts... According to the methadone treatment regimen of the Ministry of Health, addicts must go to the methadone treatment facility to take the medicine once a day. The minimum continuous time to take the medicine is 1 year, the maximum is 3 years. Up to now, patients receiving methadone treatment are completely free.

Currently, the number of registered addicts is constantly increasing. From 40 patients when the program started, up to now, there are 619 registered patients, of which 524 patients have been treated, 398 patients are being treated. Currently, 16/21 districts have drug addicts participating in Methadone treatment at treatment facilities... The network of treatment facilities is constantly being established and expanded: Up to now, the whole province has put into operation 4 treatment facilities: at the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Center (July 2012), in Que Phong district (June 2014), in Quy Chau district (July 2014), in Tuong Duong district (November 28, 2014). Currently, Nghe An Health Department is continuing to survey, select locations, arrange human resources, send for professional training to deploy new treatment facilities in Dien Chau district, Thanh Chuong district and Social Labor Center I.

From the high efficiency of the methadone program, on July 22, 2014, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued a decision approving the adjusted plan to implement the methadone program for the period 2014 - 2020. Accordingly, the goal by 2020 is to have about 3,400 opium addicts in 100% of districts, cities and towns participating in the methadone program, contributing to reducing HIV infection and some related diseases. Specifically: In 2014, 4 treatment facilities were deployed for 640 patients; in 2015, 12 methadone treatment facilities, 6 drug dispensing points were deployed, treating 3,400 patients; In the period of 2012 - 2015, ensure that over 40% of opium addicts with controlled records in 100% of districts, cities and towns participate in the program.

Article and photos:Thanh Son