..the pittfall of methadone

i feel methadone is a wonderful program and also feel we've stretched too much of our services that we can't consolidate fully the bases to strengthen our outreach. by far in combating heroin use in chronic users is high but in a long run we have failed in many accounts.

to this program from what i have read from other countries, like canada and in the UK, they provide the most comprehensive form of counselling and support groups. they provide individual and family counselling and all form of supports. but here in malaysia we have too little man power to support a large group of people.

already in HKL alone there are 300 methadone clients registered with 200 in the waiting list, where as sg.buloh has registered 70 methadone clients with turn up rate of 50%. logistically we have no problem but to run such a time consuming and high attention service is another matter.

malaysia is short of all those support groups and especially trained counsellors. yes we can provide methadone daily but what about the mental and spiritual needs of the clients? we fall very short in that area and its this area that we must have someone to fill in.

its not just giving them medicine to drink but they need some guidance too. so who will help them?