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Heroin treatment at record levels Heroin treatment at record levels
(1 day later)
The number of people being treated for heroin addiction in Scotland has reached record levels. The number of people treated for heroin addiction in Scotland has reached record levels, according to figures.
About 21,000 people are now said to use heroin substitute methadone - 10% more than previously thought - with a third of them caring for children under 16.About 21,000 people are now said to use heroin substitute methadone - 10% more than previously thought - with a third of them caring for children under 16.
The statistics are contained in a series of reports to be published by the Scottish government on Monday. The statistics are contained in a series of reports published by the Scottish government.
The review was ordered after the death of toddler Derek Doran. Ministers are to back the continued use of the drug. A review was ordered after the death of toddler Derek Doran. Ministers have backed the continued use of the drug.
Derek died after drinking methadone he found in his home two weeks after his second birthday.Derek died after drinking methadone he found in his home two weeks after his second birthday.
Ministers are set to accept expert advice that methadone remains an important part of treatment. Put simply, involvement in a methadone programme means an addict no longer needs to inject drugs Dr Harry BurnsScotland's chief medical officer class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=6932&edition=1">Send us your views
However, they are also expected point to a need for more support to encourage users to become drug free. Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing has promised improved services to help more methadone users back into drug-free lives.
He said: "It is clear that methadone does have an important part to play in tackling heroin addiction. The benefits it can bring in terms of harm reduction are well established.
"Methadone can stabilise chaotic lives and has a positive impact on the lives of many people who are treated with it. Experts have concluded that it is entirely appropriate for methadone to be the major element of the treatment available for opiate dependency.
"The report makes clear that there are, however, areas of concern about the use of methadone. Tackling those areas is a key priority for us.
"That means improving service delivery; improving consistency of provision; and, above all, improving integration of methadone treatment with the extra support needed to achieve the ultimate goal of recovery from addiction."
REVIEW FINDINGS 21,000 receiving methadone in the community10,500 consume methadone under daily supervision7,000 on methadone look after children under 16Methadone viewed as most cost effective treatment
Mr Ewing said that drug treatment needs to be "more than a prescription service".
"Methadone must come with genuine rehabilitation to help addicts find a route out of drugs," he added.
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns, said the benefits of methadone were considerable and should not be understated.
He said: "Injecting drug users put themselves at significant risk of contracting blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis C from sharing injecting equipment.
"Bacterial infections from non-sterile equipment are also common, as is vascular damage arising from long-term drug use.
"Put simply, involvement in a methadone treatment programme means a drug addict no longer needs to inject drugs."
'One-trick-pony'
Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that she welcomed the fact that figures on methadone usage were finally being compiled.
She said: "Methadone has to be one of the range of options and I have always held that view.
"What I criticised the last Scottish Executive for was the complete dearth of thinking about having other options available.
"It became a one-trick-pony. It was methadone virtually or nothing whereas I think there is a place for a range of options, particularly rehabilitation."
Labour justice spokeswoman Margaret Curran said: "There are serious implications for methadone dependent addicts and any efforts to address Scotland's drug problems with this treatment must be part of a wider solution that educates, supports and rehabilitates addicts and their families.
"I expect the SNP executive to look at these reports closely and put together a detailed strategy which addresses all of the challenges facing Scotland's drug users."