Dr. Newman, Director of the International Center of Advancement of Addiction Treatment, discusses the current climate of methadone and the media. Including news related to Anna Nichole Smith, Methadone Overdose Deaths and Emergency Visits.

Two years ago we posted notice that "a new methadone clinic opened in Miramichi and more are planned in Moncton, St. Johns and Fredericton (all in N.B.)." Twelve months later another posting stated that in St. Johns alone there were 170 patients in treatment and another 70 on a waiting list. Here's a current update. The Times and Transcript of N.B. headlined, "Methadone clinics' role praised" (March 7). A Dept of Health spokeswoman stated "all of the information they have points to a successful program," a view "...echoed by Detective Jody Whyte of the Miramichi Police Force Drugs Section." It's been announced that plans are being considered for "interim methadone treatment" to accommodate the many local residents who are on waiting lists.

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Almost 3,000 pregnancies between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed in New South Wales, Australia (number per year increeased from 62 in 1992 to 459 in 2002). The conclusion: "Continuous methadone treatment during pregnancy is associated with earlier antenatal care and improved neonatal outcomes." Addiction 102, 264-270, 2006.

Bangkok Post, 4 March A Letter to the Editor by the Thai AIDS Treatment Action Group notes that the major reason for an illicit market in methadone in that country is inadequate access to legitimate methadone maintenance treatment. Specifically: fewer people would resort to illicit sources for methadone "... if existing services were effectively meeting their needs," yet thousands want and need care but can not get it. A similar situation, unfortunately, exists in a great many countries throughout the world, with the same negative consequences for the well-being of drug users and the general community. For full story:

The International Narcotics Control Board states in its 2006 annual report that prescription drug abuse is replacing traditional illegal narcotic drug abuse worldwide, and warns of the proliferation of counterfeit "prescription" drugs which are potentially lethal and have different effects than the drugs they are copying. For full story

That's the headline of a 21 Feb story in Mail and Guardian (South Africa). Reportedly the Government of Mauritius has sought recently to contain the rapid spread of HIV in the island nation by creating needle and syringe exchange services and introducing methadone maintenance, which now serves several hundred patients. For on-line access to full article: (Thanks to Hans-Guenter Meyer-Thompson of DGS for forwarding this story to us)