I don't think there are many mums with babies and young children who would knowingly hang around junkies.

As far as methadone goes, I'm not sure what I think. It would be nice to believe that people on the program are trying to kick the drugs, but probably in many cases they are still junkies who are now addicted to something "safer" and legal and administered under medical advice.

Would you want your children to be around people on methadone? There is a specific reason I'm asking.

Steph

Honestly, no.
Once they are off drugs completely and have changed their lives then, yes. But while they are still dependant on any kind of drug, I would keep my DD well away.

DD Brenna Rose 24/09/2004
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://www.lilypie.com/pic/050215/935f6b1.jpg" alt="Lilypie Baby Pic" border="0" /><img src="http://lilypie.com/baby1/050924/1/12/1/+10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>

Nope wouldnt let the babies near them. Wouldn't be able to rest easy knowing they could accidently stick them selves with needle that was floating around.

No, I wouldn't expose DD to that.
I am fairly clueless about drugs, but imagine that if it at all mind altering, that it wouldn't be safe.
What does methodone do? Does it have the same effects on the body / mind as heroin?

Methadone is an ORAL medication - someone on methadone will not generally have needles around (I say generally because the odd wayward methadone user will decide to inject their methadone). It is not only used as a "replacement" for heroin. It is sometimes used for pain management also (from pain clinics for chronic pain patients). It is a synthetic opioid, pharmacologically similar to morphine.

It's main benefit over heroin is that it is a controlled dose, is cheap (they are not going to rip off your VCR to pay for their methadone )

Now, what was the question? Would I want my children around someone on methadone. It would entirely depend upon the person. There are many who are on methadone for years (another issue altogether) who do not abuse other drugs. There are people left right and centre addicted to pain management drugs, benzos, and who knows what, who are not on methadone. If they were one who went "on the nod" after their methadone dose (i.e. were still on a high enough dose to make them dopey), then there is no way I would want them as the sole supervisor for my children. But would I refuse to have my children around someone just because that person is on methadone - no, not based on that alone.

Wow - that was a long winded answer!

Jo2+2<BR>Rachel - born still 21/11/00 (23 weeks)<BR>Matthew & Erin 7/11/01<P><BR>

This message was edited by Jo on Tuesday, 16 August 2005 @ 4:39 PM

Just to clarify, methadone is an addictive opium product (as are heroin and morphine) however it doesn't produce the big highs or crashing withdrawals, is dispensed in a liquid form and unlike street drugs is of known concentration and purity.

I am possibly opening a huge can of worms by posting this...

Today I was in town and dropped into the City Market pharmacy to get a few things. Since they have a baby clinic I thought I'd chuck DD on the scales while I was there. While I was waiting, a few people went in and out of the room next to the baby clinic room. I didn't like the look of it and asked a staff member what was in there. She told me they run a methadone program.

Now is it just me, or does anyone else think it not entirely desirable to have a child health clinic and methadone program running out of two consulting rooms not more than a few metres apart, with a shared waiting area (in the pharmacy)?

Steph

While I was

One way to look at it is how do you know who you are sharing your doctor's waiting room with and what addictions they have?

This message was edited by Jo on Tuesday, 16 August 2005 @ 4:46 PM

Thank you Jo for articulating what I wanted to say!! You wealth of medical knowledge you!

I agree with everything you said! But couldn't find the words.



Rach

Mum to Sorcha Lee 14/10/01 and Jordy Lachlan 29/03/94.

I see a counsellor/health professional who is in a building with a methadone dispensary attached to it. In MY opinion.....and from my observations....the 'type' of people who access the methadone are not your stereotypical "druggos". ANYONE can become addicted to 'drugs'.......be it heroin, speed, alcohol, cannabis.....

I just remember that it is easy for us to judge....but it COULD be anyone's father, sister, daughter etc that require help kicking a physical and psychological addiction

JMHO

Rachel

Mum to Sorcha Lee 14/10/01 and Jordy Lachlan 29/03/94.

Yes I know and the person that's sitting next to me on the bus could be a serial rapist! However, if my doctor was administering drugs of addiction at the surgery for other than medical/pain reasons then I would certainly want to know about it!

I suppose my judgment is coloured by the three people I saw attending in Civic today. As I said in my original post - I know I *should* give them the benefit of the doubt, but that's not what my gut feeling told me to do.

This message was edited by s_m on Tuesday, 16 August 2005 @ 5:03 PM

Phillip Health Clinic do a similar thing Steph. I guess I'm lucky that if I don't like it/feel uncomfortable with it etc I can afford to go to a GP for my service. Unfortunately many others who require these speciality services can not and therefore should not be denied appropriate access to them.

If it was someone at playgroup or at school I would not associate with them more out of lack of common interest probably but not in the situation you have referred to.

I can see where you are coming from Steph. But addiction is a medical reason.

A doctor would be highly unusual if he/she is not prescribing drugs of addiction to people who have an addiction to that very same drug. For all a person knows, their GP may be authorised to prescribe methadone.

I would simply chose not to go back to the same pharmacy if being around people on methadone (or the people in that particular situation) offended me.

This message was edited by Jo on Tuesday, 16 August 2005 @ 6:03 PM

I have encounted this in Perth everytime I am there as most major pharmacies are now a methodone dispensing clincs - you would be amazed at the people who go in - its not just your stereotypical junkie but people in suits and work uniforms.
I would have to say that I am sure there are quite a few people who are on the methodone program and still take heroin but there is also the people who use it for good, I have a very good friend who stupidly got addicted to heroin but has used the methodone program for what it is intended - that is to make the transition to a drug free life. In her case she started on quite a high dose of methodone and has now brought herself down to the lowest dose available, she is now at the last step which is to kick the methodone completely (not an easy task) but she is about to attempt it and I fully suport it. Obviously when we catch up she has had her daily dose of methodone and its not like she is off with the fairies and I have no problem with her touching/playing with my daughter but then again she isnt some weirdo in street.
Its a hard decision as I despise drug/alcohol addictions but for the people who are doing the right thing and trying to change there life, it is a very good program.

IMO there is a world of difference between a doctor prescribing and dispensing on-site.

I won't be going back to that pharmacy, at least not to hang around waiting to see a baby nurse.

I've known about the methadone dispensing at that pharmacy since the first time I took my baby there for weigh-in. Big deal. The people I've seen go in and out look the same as some of the people I see walking around Civic streets, and they're always straight in and straight out. They don't cause any trouble for me or my baby, and the best MCHN in Canberra (Louise sp?) is at that clinic.

Unless you go to one of the free standing baby clinics (like Lanyon) almost all the health centres also have methdone clinics (or a needle exchange)because ACT health bundles all its services together. I'm pretty sure its the same deal at Phillip, Narrabundah etc.

I think at the city pharmacy (the only clinic I go to) its part of the deal they have with ACT health. The baby clinic is a huge cash cow for them - all those mums sitting waiting next to the baby products! so they also have to run the methadone clinic.

I have no problem with it there - the staff both ACT health and Pharmacy staff are all professional, and you will be in just as close proximity to the same people walking through the Canberra centre and the car park anyway.