The number of heroin addicts taking methadone on prescription in the city has quadrupled since 1994. And council leaders believe there should be more services in place to help addicts become drug free before any more are added to the programme. Nearly a million daily doses of methadone are given out in Glasgow each year. Six years ago there were 1,000 heroin addicts on methadone. That number has now climbed to nearly 4,000.
City councillors are concerned that large numbers are stuck on methadone.
A special review of the methadone programme will be published next week. Councillors want more done to help those currently on methadone become drug free before increased numbers are taken on. Open to debate The programme is a joint initiative between Greater Glasgow Health Board and Glasgow City Council. Dr Laurence Gruer of Greater Glasgow Health Board said as many as 3,000 more addicts could benefit from the programme. But former drug addicts, councillors and the health board have disagreed over the future of the programme.