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Effectiveness of methadone treatment programme

Following is a question by the Hon Ngan Kam-chuen and the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the effectiveness of the methadone treatment programme and the operation of methadone treatment centres, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) whether methadone treatment can help drug addicts to abstain from

drugs;

(b)

(c)

(d)

whether it will review the effectiveness of the methadone treatment programme and its future development;

whether it will review the methadone taking procedure and the security measures in methadone treatment centres, and whether it will consider increasing the number of staff on duty so as to prevent drug addicts who receive treatment in these centres from smuggling methadone out of the centres; and

whether consideration has been given to eliminating the nuisance caused to nearby residents by the patients of methadone treatment centres?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a)

Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing medical condition affected by complex socio-psychological factors. We have a long-standing policy of adopting a multi-modality approach in treatment and rehabilitation to cater for the varying needs of different drug abusers. The out-patient Methadone Treatment Programme provides an alternative treatment model to those addicts who are not suitable and receptive to residential treatment. It includes both maintenance and detoxification schemes for patients. Detoxification treatment, which aims to wean patients off drugs by gradually reducing their daily dosage of methadone until they are completely drug-free, is more suitable for those abusers with short addiction history. However, international experience has shown that it is difficult and unrealistic to aim at total detoxification for all drug abusers. Indeed, most drug-abusers opt for the maintenance programme which is a more realistic objective for them. This programme enables the drug- abusers to resume a normal and economically productive life, and protects them from the health hazards and crime activities associated with illicit drug use.

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