Methadone deaths prompt calls for supervised consumption

Supervision for all is a sensible way forward but will local public health departments agree this is a priority, if not addicts can easily cross borough boundaries where they can pick up methadone if they are determined.

Ongoing splintering of NHS in England will make it difficult to implement.

Virtually all Methadone should be supervised the fact that it is freely available on the streets means only one thing it originally came from a pharmacy in the first place. There are a lot of addicts given quantities in excess of 500ml at one time and it is finding its way onto the streets.
In one case I know of recently an addict was switched to daily consumption instead of take away. he tried to persuade the pharmacist that the prescription was wrong, tried to hold it in his mouth but eventually swallowed it, he ended up in hospital being treated for an overdose. He later admitted that he had over time reduced the dose himself and was selling the excess.

It's a story I've heard around several pharmacies. And one that does definitely highlight some major concern over methadone supply. I'm am completely for total supervision at all but the lowest of dosages. I don't see concentrates being used enough either by prescribers. I believe reducing quantity is fundamental to reducing siphoned amounts.

Having been involved in methadone supply for nigh on 30 years I would have to agree that consumption is the only way if we are going down the methadone route : I have as yet to hear of any other programme that would fully replace the service. Addicts who "take away" can often be pressurised by "friends" to hand over their supplies (or simply mugged!) but if they consume we can be almost 100% certain that the correct person is taking it at the correct dose. Allowing large quantities (over 1000ml in some cases) to be taken away is simply asking for trouble.

In my small city (Zgorzelec - Poland - 30 000 people) from 1998. 200 people "treated" with methadone - all dead!