Three out of four heroin and crack cocaine users receiving treatment
THREE out of four heroin and crack cocaine users in Lincolnshire are currently in drug treatment.
So says Andrew Cox, manager of Lincolnshire's Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), who said about 1,700 heroin and crack cocaine users in the county are now receiving help from the team.
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The service estimates there is a total of 2,300 problem drug users in Lincolnshire meaning 74 per cent are in treatment, higher than the national average of 70 per cent.
Mr Cox said the majority of these are addicted to heroin, with methadone, a synthetic heroin substitute, being the medication of choice used to help wean them off the Class A drug.
Mr Cox said: "There are clear benefits to drug users following a programme of methadone treatment rather than continuing to abuse heroin.
"As well as reducing harm caused by continued drug injection to addicts themselves, offending rates in communities are reduced."
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Echo revealed almost twice the number of prescriptions for methadone are dispensed in the county now than five years ago.
During the 2005-06 financial year, 7,833 methadone prescriptions were dispensed, which has risen steadily each year to 14,188 in 2009-10.
As previously reported in the Echo, Mr Cox said although there is a decline in the number of people in the county entering treatment for problem drug use, there is a record number of people being treated by the DAAT.
He said several hundred of the 1,700 people currently in treatment had been taking methadone for more than a year.
The target is to get them clean – which includes off methadone – within three months of entering drug treatment.
Mr Cox said: "Our preferred use of methadone is always as a short-term bridge as part of a structured treatment plan, eventually leading to total abstinence from drug use.
"From a commissioning point of view we are looking at abstinence as the way forward."
Gaitano Bellia, locum pharmacist at Lloyds Pharmacy in Newland, Lincoln, said: "Sometimes you have a very regular patient coming for years for methadone.
"This medical treatment works, but it's not the only factor and the patient plays a vital role in their treatment.
"But if they come here for their methadone prescription they know they are being looked after and feel helped and not alone."
A methadone prescription costs NHS Lincolnshire between 62p for 30ml and £8.31 for 500ml.
8 Comments
by Nick, Lincoln
Wednesday, September 08 2010, 3:04PM
“There's only one cure - a bullet”
by Mr Magoo, Lincoln
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:42PM
“Treat drug users as follows: give them what most of us have on Boxing Day - cold turkey”
by Phil, Lincoln
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 3:26PM
“It doesn't mention how many are on treatment via court orders. ie. Those that have gone out stealing, got caught and summonsed then got a slap wrist from the magistrates. There was a group of these in uphill Boots getting their "prescriptions" a few weeks ago meaning those of us getting our normal prescriptions had to wait for them and listen to their tales about what a doddle it was complying with their orders instead of getting sent down, who was doing what, who would buy whatever and generally who had got done for this that and the other and their punishments. Basically, just one big joke. Then they all (about 5 of them) leave the store, going via different isles and the security man trying to watch them all. When he came back I overheard him saying he was sure one of them had nicked something or other but what could he do. If he stopped one another one would have it.
Those that really do want to get off their drug addictions, I have admiration for and wish them all the best of luck. Having never touched an illegal drug in my life I don't know what its like but I did give up smoking after 30 years and that was hard. As for getting off the addictions within 3 months, from what I heard or read before this is a joke. I understand its usually well over a year.”
by Lei, Lincoln
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 1:13PM
“And rape victims have to wait months for counselling, many not receiving any help at all. What a world we live in - our priorities are all wrong.”
by NAABT.org, usa
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 12:38PM
“¿The target is to get them clean ¿ which includes off methadone¿
This is the wrong idea. The target should be to stop the dangerous compulsion of addiction, if some patients require a medication to accomplish this so be it, its irrelevant. Why not force all diabetes off insulin? Sometimes patient need longterm medicine to treat what we now know is a chronic brain disease. Addiction remission should be the goal not ¿clean¿.
NAABT”
by Steve, South Hykeham
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:03AM
“Quality website :-D Tells me there's an error but posts my comment anyway.”
by Steve, South Hykeham
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:02AM
“Sorry, my naivety here, but what are "problem drug users"? - are these people who are simply classed as being on drugs? who're on drugs and cause problems? or just that "74 per cent are in treatment" and it¿s the treating of them that's the problem? I've no real comment either way but just curious.”
by Steve, South Hykeham
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 9:00AM
“Sorry, my naivety here, but what are ¿problem drug users¿? ¿ are these people who are simply classed as being on drugs? who¿re on drugs and cause problems? or just that ¿74 per cent are in treatment¿ and it¿s the treating of them that¿s the problem? I¿ve no real comment either way but just curious.”