China urges methadone therapy
10/8/2006 11:05
The Chinese government is vigorously promoting methadone replacement
therapy to drug addicts to curb the spread of AIDS and hepatitis caused by
injections.
In total, China has set up 101 methadone clinics. The number
will increase to 305 by the end of the year.
Methadone, a synthesized
narcotic which is far less noxious than morphine hydrochloride, is used
internationally as a substitution drug to help addicts break their
addiction.
In China's methadone clinics, a cup of methadone drink costs
10 yuan (US$1.25).
Those undergoing methadone replacement therapy are
required to take regular urine tests. The results are recorded in a national
database run by police authorities. The Ministry of Public Security said those
who persist in using drugs will be sent to institutions for compulsory drug
abstinence.
"Methadone replacement therapy does more than just prevent
infectious diseases, such as AIDS and hepatitis. It helps addicts rebuild family
relations and will also reduce the number of drug smuggling cases," said Yao
Zhibin, deputy director of the Health Department of Guangdong
Province.
On August 3, Wang Longde, Vice Minister of Health, upbraided
local officials who refused to set up methadone clinics. Wang said some
officials feared that methadone clinics would have a negative effect on overseas
investment, because businessmen might infer from the presence of a methadone
clinic in an area that there were many drug addicts, and might abandon their
investment plans.
The Regulation on AIDS Prevention and Control that came
into effect in March stipulates that governments at various levels must launch
drug replacement therapy to curb drug abuse and the spread of AIDS.
The
Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Food and Drug
Administration have jointly issued a document demanding that governments at
different levels cooperate closely to promote methadone replacement therapy in
communities, and strictly enforce the regulations.
Xinhua news
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