Prince Albert Methadone Program To Remain As Is

Prince Albert Methadone Program To Remain As Is

Monday, July 14, 2008 at 15:00

 

 

The head of Prince Albert’s methadone program says he doesn’t expect a recent death will prompt any major changes to the program.

 

Tyrone Starblanket died on March 12th, 2007 after ingesting a mix of methadone and other medication.

 

At an inquest, it was revealed he secretly took methadone from a friend who was a patient of the program.

 

The patient was one of the methadone-users who is allowed to take the drug home so they can medicate themselves.

 

A jury recommended the program be reviewed by Saskatchewan Health and that patients be required to take methadone at a pharmacy daily, rather than take home a week’s supply.

 

However, Dr. Leo Lanoie says that won’t be happening.

 

He says the program is already reviewed on a monthly basis, and it would be too cumbersome to expect everyone to show up daily for their treatment.

 

Lanoie adds he’s already heard stories of some users having to hitchhike into town to access their treatment as it is.

 

He says the weekly carry-home system must stay around for the program to remain viable.

 

Still, he says he accepts most of the jury’s recommendations and he took all of them into consideration.