A former drug-user from Fife has reignited the debate over methadone use by insisting it played a pivotal role in changing her life for the better.
After being prescribed the heroin substitute to try and break a 10-year addiction, the woman said she has been now clear of all drugs for three years, and believes that methadone was vital in helping her.
The woman, from the Glenrothes area, spoke out after reading reports calling on the use of the substance to be limited.
She said, “There seems to be a lack of information regarding the benefits of methadone to the general public.
“I do admit it has been known for some users to abuse the methadone prescription, but most users enter the programme for all the right reasons.”
She added, “Methadone reduces the harm of using unprescribed drugs and needles, and reduces crime.
“Drug addiction is an illness, often the end result of trying to cope with serious or personal issues.”
She said, “Don’t be fooled into thinking that it could not happen to you in dealing with a traumatic event you could be prescribed sleeping tablets, which could lead to valium and very soon it is a very short journey on a downward spiral to rock bottom.
“All addicts need help and support to break the habit, and it can take far longer than six months.
“People do not want to be in this situation everyone just wants to have a normal family lifestyle.”Turned life aroundThe woman said that she has settled into family life and is training to be a mentor with Glenrothes group C-Clear, which offers support, advice and information to anyone affected by or at risk of hepatitis C.
She said, “I hope to apply to college to study for an HNC working in communities next year, but I would not be in this stable position without having gone through a methadone programme.
“For these reasons I would not recommend limiting the use of methadone or any other heroin substitute.”
She added, “If the local community could become more informed and supportive then it would just maybe help users to get to the other side and lead ‘normal’ lives.”
The call came days after new figures revealed the number of cases of methadone poisoning increased in Fife last year, while the total bill for dispensing the substance across Scotland continues to soar.
Four people have died from methadone overdoses since 2007, while there were 24 patients admitted to Fife hospitals because of methadone poisoning in 2008-9, up from four the previous year.
The total bill for giving out the opiate syrup in Scotland increased from just over £9 million in 2003-4 to £16.6 million in 2009.
In Fife the cost rose from £403,000 to £1.46 million over the same period.