Methadone Therapy Clinic Targets 100 Patients

KUALA TERENGGANU, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Hardcore drug addicts in Terenggau who take heroin and morphine will be treated with Methadone, an effective synthetic drug that does not produce a withdrawal symptom.
The treatment will be provided by the Methadone Substitution Therapy Clinic of Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital (HSNZ) here.
Health, Unity, Consumer Affairs and Environment Committee Chairman Toh Chin Yaw said the Clinic was targeting 100 patients every three to five weeks until the end of this year.
"The first batch of addicts received the treatment on Dec 26," he told reporters after opening the clinic at the HSNZ here Monday.
Also present were state Health Director, Dr Nordiayah Hassan and the hospital Director Dr Abdul Rashid Che Ali.
Toh said Methadone was "cost effective" and could be taken orally.
He added the criteria for obtaining the treatment included hardcore addicts who voluntarily wished to be included in the treatment and were willing to abide by the programme rules.
He advised parents who had children with drug problems to bring them for treatment at the Clinic.