Four out of ten people on methadone, the legal substitute for heroin addiction, have been on the drug for at least 10 years.
That is according to HSE data, provided to Fianna Fáil TD John Curran, which shows that of the 10,316 people on methadone in the country, 4,069 have been taking it for a decade or more.
A total of 6,262 (60%) have been in receipt of the substance for more than five years. The Dublin Mid-West TD said this indicated an increase of 494 people on 2016.
He expressed concern regarding the lack of integrated care plans in place to support those on methadone for prolonged periods of time to rehabilitate and recover from drug dependence.
“Methadone is the most common treatment for heroin addiction in Ireland but there is often a misconception that it is a suitable long-term treatment,” he said.
Mr Curran said while it may be a “less dangerous alternative”, it is a synthetic opioid that could be harmful when abused.
Health Research Board figures show methadone was implicated in a quarter of overdoses in 2015.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, The Irish Examiner, 23/08/18
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
