FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1976
TWO MORE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CENTRES TO BE OPENED
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THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT TWO MORE METHADONE DETOXIFICATION CENTRES WOULD BE OPENED NEXT WEDNESDAY TO COPE WITH THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DRUG ADDICTS SEEKING METHADONE TREATMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DECISION TO OPEN MORE CENTRES WAS PROMPTED BY THE RECENT LARGE DRUG SEIZURES BY THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES, WHICH HAVE CURTAILED LOCAL SUPPLIES SENDING PRICES TO AN ALL-TIME HIGH.
IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT THE DRUGS SEIZED THIS MONTH, WORTH ABOUT $70 M. IF REACHING THE STREET SALE LEVEL, WERE MEANT FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION.
ONE OF THE TWO NEW CENTRES TO COME INTO SERVICE IS THE HOMANT IN HEALTH CENTRE, WHICH WILL BE A DAY DETOXIFICATION CENTRE OPERATING FROM 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M., AND THE OTHER IS THE KENNEDY TOWN CLINIC, WHICH WILL BE AN EVENING CLINIC OPERATING FROM 6 P.M. TO 10 P.M.
THESE TWO ADDITIONS WILL BRING TO 15 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DETOXIFICATION CENTRES - TWO DAY CENTRES AND 13 EVENING CENTRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ALTHOUGH THE IMPACT OF THE RECENT NARCOTICS SEIZURES HAD NOT YET BEEN FULLY FELT, THE NUMBER OF NEW PATIENTS REGISTERED AT THE EXISTING 13 CENTRES SHOWED A STEADY INCREASE IN THE PAST FEW DAYS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE PAST FOUR DAYS, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF NEW REGISTRATION WAS 60 A DAY, COMPARED WITH ABOUT 33 A DAY IN THE PREVIOUS WEEK.
SINCE THE DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMME WAS INTRODUCED IN JUNE, NEARLY 4,000 ADDICTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE CENTRES FOR TREATMENT WHILE THE ATTENDANCE RATE RANGES FROM 60 TO 70 PER CENT.
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