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Health minister and former drug addicts promote methadone

Accompanied by three former heroin addicts, Department of Health (DOH) Minister Yeh Ching-chuan (葉金川) yesterday encouraged drug addicts to participate in the government's methadone program.

“Approximately 12,000 heroin addicts are now taking methadone. We hope to encourage more to do so,” Yeh told a press conference at the DOH.

Yeh said that he had invited the three former addicts — Huang (黃), Hsiao-ju (小如) and Yang (楊) — to share their experiences as many heroin addicts did not believe that methadone works despite the government's efforts at promoting the program.

“This program helps heroin addicts quit drugs and live a normal life. They are like sick people who are taking medicine. I am sick as well. I take medication for high blood pressure every day,” Yeh said.

The three patients were from the DOH's Taoyuan Mental Hospital, where they are participating in the methadone program.

Huang, 42, who has been taking methadone for more than two years, said that he had been on heroin for more than a decade and spent more than NT$1 million on it. After being released from Hsinchu Prison after serving time for drug-related charges in April 2006, a friend suggested he try methadone.

“The best thing about methadone is that you do not feel the pain of quitting heroin. It's just like taking medicine,” Huang said. “You can lead a normal life, have a job and a family.”

Huang said he is now helping out with the family business while looking for a full-time job.

Hsiao-ju, 27, said that she began by taking amphetamines.

“I was in the escort business when I was 17 and I wanted to get slimmer,” she said. “But my husband and I ended up on heroin and I continued until I was 24.”

She said she had been on methadone for more than a year and is working a regular job at the moment.

Yang, 31, was jailed between 2006 and 2007 on drug charges. He began his methadone rehabilitation in July 2007. He now works as a gardener and says he is satisfied with what he has.

“I spend about NT$3,000 per month on methadone but it is worth every penny,” he said.

Taoyuan Mental Hospital attending psychiatrist Chou Sun-yuan (周孫元) suggested that patients who join the program take methadone for one to three years.

“Patients also have to report to the hospital every day, because methadone is prohibited and one dose only lasts for 24 hours,” Chou said.

Overdoses of methadone can be dangerous as it can cause difficulty breathing, Chou said, adding that constipation is a major side effect.

Yeh said that the DOH would look for additional funding to help more heroin addicts join the program.

“By helping them, we are also helping reduce the number of new AIDS cases,” Yeh said.

He said that addicts could seek help at 77 hospitals nationwide or call 0800-770-885 for information.
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