Bt44m spent on Methadone to treat drug addicts in 4 years

Bt44m spent on Methadone to treat drug addicts in 4 years
By POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION

Methadone

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Health Security Office (NHSO) has spent Bt43.77 million over the past four years, or about Bt11 million per year, on procuring Methadone to help ease withdrawal symptoms in people addicted to heroin or other drugs.

From 2013 until July 2016, the NHSO’s Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) programme has treated as many as 9,573 addicts, NHSO deputy chief Dr Chuchai Sornchamni said. 

Chuchai and Department of Medical Services deputy chief Dr Paskorn Chaivanichsiri led a team to Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng Hospital yesterday to observe the progress of MMT.

Chuchai explained that the NHSO was covering MMT in a bid to reduce the dangers of shared needles as well as prevent the spread of HIV and Hepatitis B and C infections. 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30304015

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-13