MONDAY, MAY 29, 1989
METHADONE PROGRAMME DRAWS HIGH PRAISE
A VISITING EXPERT ON DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT TODAY (MONDAY) HIGHLY PRAISED THE SUCCESSFUL OPERATION OF THE VOLUNTARY OUT-PATIENT METHADONE PROGRAMME FOR DRUG ADDICTS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF ADDICTION IN HONG
KONG.
DR ROBERT NEWMAN, THE PRESIDENT OF BETH ISRAEL MEDICAL CENTRE IN NEW YORK, IS ON A VISIT TO SEE FOR HIMSELF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF THE PROGRAMME.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR GARETH MULLOY, AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR PAUL SAW, HE VISITED THE SHAM SHUI PO AND ROBERT BLACK METHADONE CLINICS THIS MORNING.
DR NEWMAN, A CONSULTANT ΤΟ THE FORMER MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THE 1970'S, SAID THAT MANY COUNTRIES, IN
ΤΟ ADDITION
DURING THE THE UNITED STATES, HAD INTRODUCED THE METHADONE PROGRAMME PAST TWO DECADES.
"THE MOST OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE, HOWEVER, IS FOUND IN HONG KONG, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN THE WORLD THAT CAN PUBLICISE TREATMENT ON REQUEST TO EVERY HEROIN ADDICT, HE SAID.
IN CITIES THROUGHOUT HIS OWN CITIES IN EUROPE, ADDICTS HAD то ACCEPTED INTO TREATMENT, HE SAID.
COUNTRY, AS WELL AS IN MOST WAIT FOR MONTHS BEFORE
BEING
THE LOCAL METHADONE CLINICS LAST YEAR CATERED FOR ABOUT THREE MILLION PATIENT-ATTENDANCES, WITH A DAILY AVERAGE OF SOME 8,000.
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, ALL PATIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE MEDICATION IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DISPENSING STAFF AND NO METHADONE CAN BE TAKEN AWAY FROM THE CLINICS.
SUPPORTING SERVICES SUCH AS COUNSELLING, FINANCIAL AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND JOB PLACEMENT ARE ALSO PROVIDED BY MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE CLINICS OR THROUGH REFERRAL то OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES.
FOR THE USE OF METHADONE
TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS OUT-PATIENT BASIS WAS STARTED IN HONG KONG IN LATE 1972.
WITH
ON
AN
TO COPE
SINCE THEN, THE METHADONE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXPANDED THE DEMAND, AND IT IS NOW THE LARGEST OF THE TREATMENT
PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG.
ITS SERVICES INCLUDE BOTH MAINTENANCE AND DETOXIFICATION GRADUAL REDUCTION IN THE DAILY DOSAGE OF METHADONE UNTIL THE PATIENT IS COMPLETELY DRUG-FREE.
/DR NEWMAN