Thua Thien-Hue: drug users benefited from methadone treatment
After six months of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in central
Thua Thien-Hue province, about 75 percent of drug addicts using the
therapy have seen improved physical and mental health; many of them
found jobs and have settled down.
After six months of methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) in central
Thua Thien-Hue province, about 75 percent of drug addicts using the
therapy have seen improved physical and mental health; many of them
found jobs and have settled down.
According to the provincial Department of Health, the methadone centre on Nguyen Van Linh street in Hue City, the first of its kind in the province, has received a large number of applications for treatment since it opened in November last year.
When attending the centre, drug users are provided with an initial intake assessment which includes health check-ups and psycho-social evaluations, and then free methadone doses that suit their needs together with medical advice during the treatment process.
In addition, doctors and medial workers educate patients and their family on the benefits of MMT.
To date, the locality has opened two MMT centres treating 150 drug users, 75 percent of who have reached the stabilisation phase and improved mental health. About 35 of them found jobs with the help of the centre after their recovery.
It is estimated that more than 470 people in Thua Thien-Hue province are currently addicted to heroin, cannabis, ecstasy and others. Of them, 60 percent get injections and are at the greatest risk of HIV transmission.
The MMT is a cost-effective method that costs nine times less than traditional treatments in rehab centres. It not only allows addicted people to stop using drugs, reduces their risk of HIV transmission and improves their quality of life, but also is associated with a reduction in criminal activity.
To improve MMT effectiveness, the province plans to provide drug users with mental counselling and soft skill training to help them find jobs.
It will also ramp up promotional campaigns on the significance and benefits of MMT programmes and work to improve the capacity of MMT doctors and medical workers.-VNA
According to the provincial Department of Health, the methadone centre on Nguyen Van Linh street in Hue City, the first of its kind in the province, has received a large number of applications for treatment since it opened in November last year.
When attending the centre, drug users are provided with an initial intake assessment which includes health check-ups and psycho-social evaluations, and then free methadone doses that suit their needs together with medical advice during the treatment process.
In addition, doctors and medial workers educate patients and their family on the benefits of MMT.
To date, the locality has opened two MMT centres treating 150 drug users, 75 percent of who have reached the stabilisation phase and improved mental health. About 35 of them found jobs with the help of the centre after their recovery.
It is estimated that more than 470 people in Thua Thien-Hue province are currently addicted to heroin, cannabis, ecstasy and others. Of them, 60 percent get injections and are at the greatest risk of HIV transmission.
The MMT is a cost-effective method that costs nine times less than traditional treatments in rehab centres. It not only allows addicted people to stop using drugs, reduces their risk of HIV transmission and improves their quality of life, but also is associated with a reduction in criminal activity.
To improve MMT effectiveness, the province plans to provide drug users with mental counselling and soft skill training to help them find jobs.
It will also ramp up promotional campaigns on the significance and benefits of MMT programmes and work to improve the capacity of MMT doctors and medical workers.-VNA
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