Methadone prescription service is hot topic

on September 9th,2011

THE proposed prescription of Methadone in Kintyre was a hot topic for discussion for the West Kintyre Community Council on Monday night.

Doctor Elizabeth Ireland and John Dreghorn spoke at the meeting about the proposed service which could see Methadone prescribed in Kintyre.

‘There is an opiate addiction problem in Kintyre as there is in the rest of Scotland,’ said Dr Ireland who also explained the programme would involved support to those who were really wanting to get rid of their addiction. She said it was about working with other organisations like the pharmacy,general practitioners and Kintyre Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service to ‘fundamentally change the way they are living their lives and the relationships they have with other people’.

When asked how many people in the area would be involved,Mr Dreghorn said there may be between 15 to 30 potential service users.

He also reassured the public and community councillors that there was no evidence to suggest a Methadone programme would attract users to the area.

‘I don’t think people move into the area for the programmes. This is one of the very few places in Scotland not to access to this service,’ said Mr Dreghorn. ‘You could argue a small number are deterred but don’t think it would encourage people to move here.’

For more see this week’s Campbeltown Courier,September 9 or on line at www.campbeltowncourier.co.uk/digital