Victoria is in the grip of a heroin addiction problem. Experts say too few people are getting access to the treatment they need and that needs to change before fentanyl becomes a bigger issue in Australia.
This is really bad news. I’m wondering if methadone can be or is dispensed by nurses at injecting facilities, but then keeping it on the premises could cause issues.
Methadone / pharmacotherapy is something that needs to be individualised, so there is a need for more doctors (and perhaps nurse practitioners) to be able to engage with patients to find what will suit them . The article makes mention of this… unfortunately there is so much stigma associated with heroin use that few medical practitioners want to take it on, and also many pharmacists don’t necessarily want to be part of dispensing methadone.
That’s true.
I don’t know what the answer is but it seems like without something the existing situation is just going to get worse.
I agree… definitely needs more funding… and the thing is, there are actually treatments for heroin (unlike meth) so it seems crazy to not invest more into the system so it works better and more people can get treatment if they want it.
It is crazy. Unfortunately austerity is in vogue
