Home                   See The FACTS On Methadone Treatment                                             Back

Shoveling Up: The Impact Of Substance Abuse on State Budgets

Why can't Vermont seem to provide methadone treatment
for those who so desperately need it?

The treatment of opiate addiction with methadone is very likely
the most misunderstood of all medical treatments.

November 26, 2004

Since 2000, Vermont has had legislation allowing methadone treatment in the state. In the four+ years since, one clinic servicing approximately 130 patients has opened for business. One of the greatest obstacles was legislation, altered by Governor Dean, which only allowed methadone clinics in "established hospitals or medical schools". Every hospital in the state refused to treat this chronic illness. Below, you will find an actual petition by a group of doctors from Rutland Hospital petitioning the community to refuse to treat this chronic illness.

In May 2004 legislation, redendered ineffectual by former Governor Dean, finally sunset. The legislation expired and Vermont reverted to the federal regulation of methadone clinics. Now, we are faced with the NIMBY (not in my backyard) syndrome. Residents of communities which desperately need these services are opposing the siting of a methadone clinic in their areas. This is understandable because of all the misinformation and stigma associated with the "gold standard" for the treatment of opiate dependence.

These NIMBY problems arise all over the country when a new clinic is proposed. The residents are usually uneduated regarding the treatment and when a clinic does open, they often recant their opposition after seeing that their neighborhood was uneffected by the opening of a methadone clinic.

If a methadone clinic is ever proposed in your neighborhood, please check the facts. The greatest impact a clinic will usually have is a reduction in criminal activities and drug dealing in the area. If you want to learn more about the siting of a methadone clinic and the reprecussions of that siting, we would be happy to talk with you or your group. Please contact VHRC from our contact page.

Physician Petition Against Methadone Clinic

  Drug addiction is a tragic affliction with an increasing prevalence in our community. A methadone clinic would address the problem of heroin, which is just one part of a much broader drug abuse spectrum that includes cocaine, marijuana, inhalants, alcohol, and tobacco among others. We are committed, as physicians, to helping our addicted patients renew life skills that strengthen personal attitudes and commitments against drug addiction. We believe that our limited local, state, and federal resources would best be spent on prevention programs designed to achieve long-term results in our community.

Prevention and education programs in existing institutions such as schools and outreach programs target a variety of drug abuse problems and are cost effective. For every one dollar spent on drug use prevention, communities can save four to five dollars in costs for drug abuse treatment and counseling.

VT Medical Society Policy                                           Home                                                                 Back