A tavistic and antiscience at its base, the great hue and cry has again been raised against the controlled use of methadone for the treatment of heroin and other opiate dependence. In New York City, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is seeking to eliminate methadone dispensing to treat heroin users. But this is no different from the call made in cities around the country and even entire states where this treatment is illegal. This view is permeated with ignorance of drug dependence.
Treatment undermined by misinformation Like many diseases, drug dependence is preventable.
However, once people have progressed to a state of dependence, whether by 'choice,' environmental circumstances or as an expression of genetic predisposition, they are, of course, just as medically ill as patients with hypertension, diabetes or many other medical conditions and should be treated as such. We prescribe medications that change physiological function. These medications can be effective, but the greatest benefit in treatment is achieved when an array of behavioral therapies is implemented. For example, drug users must stop hanging out in places where drugs are used. The question then becomes one of compliance to treatment.