Opiate Maintenance: Open Season on Methadone Clinics and Clients in the Indiana Legislature

These anti-patient regulations are based on fear, stigma and prejudice--NOT on facts, studies or science. Countless studies have been done involving methadone maintenance patients and driving ability--and they all show that patients who are on chronic, long term opioid therapy are tolerant of the effects of their medication and can drive as well as those NOT on medication, and that there is NO medical reason to restrict driving privileges beased on this. These people are comparing someone who is not opioid tolerant and has just been wheeled out of surgery or treatment in a HOSPITAL to someone who is extremely tolerant of a dose of medication that, in stable patients, does NOT cuase a high or euphoria nor significantly impair motor function or response time. That is patently ridiculous, and is an obvious ploy to make treatment so difficult to access that the patients will give up trying--that is what commissioner Moore wants. He has stated on public message boards that he will do whatever he can to run the clinic out of town--using whatever means are at his disposal. I only hope lawmakers can see through this kind of blatant chicanery. And tell me--is it really ok to have children visit their parents in traditional rehabs, and even in PRISON, but not attend a medical appointment with them? Ludicrous! These patients are supposed to locate someone to drive them from each appointment every single day, and someone else to watch their kids every single day, and presumably pay these people in addition to paying exorbitant clinic fees--this puts treatment into the realm of the impossible for most patients--and that is the idea here. Note that this proposed bill even makes it mpossible for the patients to walk or take the bus home from appointments--they must have a driver, lest they go insane and start frothing at the mouth or knuckle-walking and hooting.

People need to be educated before making judgements and especially laws. I have seen many methadone clinics and the people who are going to them are not bad people. You do not see a bunch of people outside the clinic acting like a bunch of idiots, copping drugs, wearing filthy dirty rags, or anything like that. I see people who had a drug problem and are seeking help for it. Driving while taking methadone is not any bigger of a problem than driving on antibiotics. People who take methadone are tolerant of it, and if they do drive like an idiot, chances are they have always driven that way. I've been on methadone for 7 years, after getting addicted to oxycontin, and have never had an accident or ticket. I drive better now than before because I'm very content with my life, where before I wasn't, and methadone is the reason for this. People with epilepsy are allowed to drive with no restrictions, as are many, many others on medication, so why should methadone be so different? Cancer patients drive on medications such as opiates, as do a lot of people, but methadone patients are the only ones being discriminated against? If you will do some research, there are many articles about driving and methadone, and all of them say there is nothing to worry about, so why is so much effort being put into doing something that will only make it harder on methadone patients? Would the Indiana state legislature rather see people out here copping drugs on the street, driving while high, putting not only their lives in danger, but the lives of others? No, they wouldn't. But they are not giving patients much of a choice now are they? Certain people in the House and Senate need to do some real research, not just make judgement calls on something they know little about. And, most people who overdose on methadone, have mixed it with another drug, and the other drug is actually what caused their death, not the methadone, and to those family members who have lost loved ones to methadone alone, I'm truly sorry, but just as many people have died from other drugs also. This is a life saving medication for so many people, and it's becoming harder and harder on them and all they are trying to do is get better. It's sad. Tjkel

From the White House office of Drug Control~
Methadone is NOT sedating or intoxicating, not dies it interfere with ordinary activities such as driving or operating machinery.
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/publications/factsht/methadone/index.html

Also check out~
http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:zrfncclyrbuj:www.comproveders.com/files/methadone&driving.doc+methadone+and+driving&ct=clnk&cd=10&ql=us

AND~
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/misc/driving/sl3p4.htm

These all say there is absolutely NO reason why people on methadone cannot drive while taking it. Why hasn't the Indiana State legislature taken these article and research into perspective? The first one is from the White House drug policy, and shows there is no reason for concern. I guess they have just chosen to ignore the facts and go by an uneducated guess. Tjkel

I am very upset by the latest news of this new law they are trying to pass. I have been a patient at an Indiana Clinic for 3 years and will be completing my detox in aprox. 10-15 weeks. I was addicted to oxycottins. The clinic has been a big help, with out it I would probably be dead or almost dead. If this ridiculous law would have been in affect back then, I never would have seeked help. And if I did seek help, there would have been no way for me to get to my appointments. If passed, this law is going to prevent 1,000s of troubled people from getting the help they really need which will create a even bigger problem. Then you will have even more un-monitored drug addicts out on the road that will actually cause problems just like a drunk driver, all because they have no way of seeking help, because they have to drive to and from the clinic, plus go to work.

To be successful at a clinic you have to be able to keep a solid routine, otherwise if you are detoxing you body will get out of sync/wack, causing you to feel even sicker. With the no driving law, people will have to rely on friends and family to get to the clinic causing them to have a screwed up schedule, thus hampering their recovery.

There are many myths out there about methadone, like it rots your teeth and it gets in your bones. These are completely false, but yet everyone and even some ignorant doctors believe them. People teeth go bad when they get on methadone because when they were using drugs they didn't take care of their teeth. So when they started getting back to normal at the clinic and starting to take care of their-selves their teeth start rotting and everyone says its because of the methadone. When really it is simply because they didn't take care of them before and the damage had already been done and the problem worsens. The problem is because their gumlines had receeded as an addict, exposing the roots of the tooth. This is just a simple example of how concepts surrounding methadone have gotten twisted into something that it isn't.

When you are on a maintenance dose you do not get a buzz. You don not get deadly sleepy, {Unless You Are Using Other Prescriptions Like :Xanox) or are getting extra methadone off of the street so they can get a buzz. Yes some patients are on high dosages, but that is because they were using large amounts of opiates when they were an addict. In order for them to use a maintnance dose correctly they will have to have a large amount to equal their tollarance. Everyones tolerance is different, it depends on many factors like weigth and the amount of drugs you were using before getting treatment. This is no different than an older person taking pain pills for their pain, once they have been on it for awhile the doctor increases their dose because their tolerance goes up and it doesn't help them anymore requiring a higher dosage. Addicts are the same except we get up to extremely high amounts. So a patient of a clinic will be on high dosages, but it is because of their tolerance to the drug. Once they get to a comfortable level of methadone, then they start detoxing a little at a time. Again through out this whole process there is no buzz, no sleepyness or drowsiness.

There are some patients I have seen and they can't keep their eyes open. This isn't because of the methadone. This is because they are using other drugs or getting more methadone off the street. And when counselors, nurses or doctor sees patients like this, they get drug tested or they will not give them their methadone for the day and will make sure they have someone to take them home.

There are a lot worse drivers on the road, than a clinic patient that is getting their life back. The next time your driving down the road count how many people you see talking on cell phones not paying attention to what they are doing. You will be surprised by the amount of dangerous drivers there are on the road all because they have to talk on their cell phone. There are much more people in this state with a cell phone that causes accidents and problems while driving than a clinic patient that is taking the program seriously and not using drugs.

The clinic enables people to stay in their environment where they have to stand up to their problem, instead of hiding behind closed doors in a rehab facility that creates an artificial life for you. At the clinic you are able to get better in the environment that got you there in the first place, so then you are confronted with that environment everyday, instead of hiding behind closed doors away from all the demons. You have to test and strain your demons in order to learn how to stay away from them. If you just hide from them, they will keep following you around. This way you are able to learn how to stay out of and get out of real life situations that make you want to use. The clinic provides this environment with the addition of qualified professionals to help steer you in the right direction in your element of life.

No kids allowed, that a joke. If thats the case, kids shouldn't be allowed to go to a doctors office with their parent. Whats the difference? People at the clinic are repsectable human beings, that have a few problems. Its no different than going to a resturaunt that serves beer and drinking it in the family section with kids. Speacially when the does are monitored by the nurses and security guard and all take homes are to be in a locked bag at all times, even if empty.

This law is created by un-informed, un-educated people that need to do their research. You should always think before you act, but what does the government do?

I saw another article about the driving conditions in southern Indiana, and can see why the sudden upset. A clinic is a crazy, busy place, just like the busiest gas station on the road. It is the same thing just a different business, except everyone is automatically labeled as bad people because they are addicted to drugs. BIG DEAL. Gas stations have wrecks happen just as much because of people being high on drugs or just plain stupid same thing. Except their not at a business that helps addicts so its ok. You see its really a bigger problem at the gas station, can you say BOOM!!! Usaully its because someone roles through on a cell phone. You know what a CELL PHONE can be an addiction too. If you talk on the phone to much while you drive, causing you not to pay attention then you are addicted to the cell phone, but hey we don't label you a looser because you can't go without your cell phone causing you to almost hit kids, cars and even parked cars. I'm more afraid a person on a phone will kill me than of a drunk driver hitting me. What about you, just think about it.

People at the clinic are in a hurry, they have lives and jobs they have to attend to. Many people are forced to come as early as they can, standing in the freezing cold rain or shine, just so they can get to work on time to support their families. You would be in a hurry to. Like when you wake up late and have no gas and you fly into the parking lot(almost hitting a car or a small child) while talking on your cell phone and not paying attention to anyone around you because you have to get to work so you don't loose your job.

Many people have to go to the clinic on their lunches and don't have much time to spare.

It would help the traffic and lines by simply opening sooner and staying open later. Simple as that.

I like to tell people that don't know nothing about addiction, drugs and the methadone clinic that a clinic patient is like a diabetic, if they don't get their dose they will get sick and not be able to work or lead a productive life. A diabetic doesn't get high, nor does a clinic patient. The only difference is that the clinic patient has the hope of getting off the medicine, while the diabetic will never quit taking their shot. Both are able to lead full, effective and productive lives if they take their medicine has prescribed. This is just analogy, I know they are different, but as a patient this is the best way I have found to explain how treatment works to someone who know nothing about it.

Most people have the wrong facts and not enough of the good ones to make the right predictions about this topic. I have found that if you have never dealt with addiction that you will never have a clear understanding of the underlying problems or the motives behind an addicts mind.

The bottom line here people is that we are all screwed. I live in Northwest Indiana and ever since Porter County asked for a clinic, we have been under drastic and devastating scrutiny by the House Public Health Committee. First, we were taken away our Sunday doses. We now go seven days a week. Now they've hit us with this no one under 18 to be in the clinic issue as well as the designated driver issue. Hey, I wonder if the Senate would like to sponsor a "junkie" or two to drive to the clinic every single day in order to be their "designated driver"? NO?! Didn't think so. It's our problem now and we will just basically have to deal with it until some other travesty worse than the methadone clinic comes around and then they'll lay off of us and go after someone else. God help the next lucky victim. God help us all.

Jamie Nagy
Methadone Client and Irritated Taxpayer...

methadone is the MOST studied drug,bar none. Possibley because the federal government started perscribing it for free, to help combat the war on drugs, and the numbers of opiate addicted vetrans of vietnam returning, after their forced tour of duty.
It has been scrutinized in every possible way, since before it was made available, in the 1960's.No, it dosen't affect one's ability to drive.No, you don't get 'high'.I would ask that you do your research
(which you,as a tax payer, have already paid for.)The research is there, for anyone to read.Please do your homework, before passing more needless laws, which only serve to lead us into ignoance.The "drug problem", came into existence, the day after legilation was passed, to demonize, and outlaw them.If you study your history, drug laws were passed to be used against the "lesser races".A knee jerk reaction to racisim.(I don't write history, nor do I make it up.)We live in a free country, where it is still legal to read and study it, for yourself.Please do so!

I would love to challenge State Representative Steve Stemler to a debate on this subject. He might be a goverment official and be of high intelligence, however in a debate on this topic i would literally stomp his ass. What a uneducated fool, comparing a MMT client to a person just out of surgery when driving a vehicle. Let me tell you Mr. Stemler, after i dose in the morning, i drive an hour to work and then continue to work for 10 to 12 hours. I certainly do not think that someone leaving surgery would be nearly able to drive and certainly wouldn't be able to work for a half a day. So if you are going to declare that you're main basis for SB 157 then you need to get another analogy buddy. Instead of just being a prick why not try and use some intelligence, maybe the intelligence that got you where you are today because you definitely aren't using it right now. This bill is sooo outrageous and ridiculous its not even funny. If you want me to have a designated driver after i dose, then you sir better make sure every f'kn patient that goes to a pharmacy that gets prescribed to narcotics better have a damn DD everywhere they go. And one more thing, if this bill does pass, please get ready to build extensions to all of the county jails in indiana because you sure as hell will need the extra space with over 10,000 persons on methadone that you are trying to endanger, so go get educated before you use your power and make a dumbass decision

What's even scarier is that with the thousands who simply CAN'T get to their clinic every day will have no other choice but to stop going. If a single clinic loses hundreds of paients,it will no doubt cause at least some to close their doors. After all,they ARE businesses. They have to pay their counselors,nurses,doctors,security,building costs,property taxes,electricity,clinic fees,etc. Many patients drive far distances and it's hard enough getting there themselves let alone having someone else take them. I personally have about an hour's drive one way-which is not TOO bad,but some drive MUCH further than that... a lot of patients will be screwed.

I believe there's an over-all bigger motive behind these new amendments. Those here who say the senators and house members need "educated" before they introduce bills such as this...well,they are. There's NO WAY any politician would attempt to introduce something of this nature without being at least minimally aware of methadone and it's effects. They know. At least they know as much as they CARE to know...

I believe they know this will be a tremendous strain on the clinics themselves. Possibly even causing enough financial damage to,hopefully in their eyes,cause them to collapse on themselves and force closures. Clinics are looked down upon-everyone knows this. What better way to deal with the "problem" of clinics than to eliminate them?

I've been a patient at an Indiana clinic for almost 7 years now. I am a single mother of 2 and take care of my elderly father. I also work full time. I am terrified of what I will have to do when this designated driver crap goes into effect. I can't stop thinking of my past days when I used and how I DO NOT ever want to go back to that. I feel as though I will be forced to because some uneducated jerk decided methadone patients are intoxicated after they dose. Is there anything we, as patients, can do to prevent this? I am afraid my life will become a mess again after 7 years of getting it all back together since being on MMT. If these people knew the facts about methadone they would never try to pass something like this. I thought it was bad everyone got harrassed by the cops almost every day on the street leading to the clinic and now this. Looks like they will do anything, short of shutting the places down, to get us "dope heads" out of their community. Good luck to all in this situation!!

you have got to be kidding me. when a person goes into surgery they are sedated so as not to wake up and feel the pain, cutting into the skin and/or organs, etc. that absolutely CAN NOT be compared to methadone patients. surgery patients may be prescribed narcotics after the surgery but the reason they ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE THEMSELVES HOME IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN SEDATED FOR THE SURGERY. what kind of idiot would compare that to a patient at a methadone clinic who is tolerant of their dose and feels absolutely NO side effects from their methadone dose. this is going to cause so many problems for people in a methadone program who have worked so hard to get their lives back together. methadone maintenance can be a very effective and positive thing for heroin addicts. that has been proven in recent studies. please do your research before you agree with such a ludacris decision as having a designated driver after dosing.

I have been a patient at East Indiana Treatment Center for a little over two years. I live in a town called Walton about 35-40 min from EITC. My day starts at 4:00 a.m. when I leave to get to the Clinic before 5:00 to join the "Workpass" line. This is a privilege granted to those who show proof of there employment and that they must be to work by 6:30. In order for me to wake up on time I must go to sleep at 7:00 p.m. Where am I supposed to find a designated driver at that time in the morning. I've been told by clinic staff that I will be exempt from the rule because I live in Kentucky. To further compound this problem after two years of treatment they finally tested me for THC, shocking my counselor as well as me. The general feeling I had gotten was that they didn't like it but that it wasn't in need of the attention drugs like cocaine, heroin, and benzodiazepines/barbituates. So, I lost my take-home doses and am now required to attend a THC Group meeting. This is okay with me but I feel that I was overlooked and am now suffering the consequences. I already attended a relapse prevention group focused on the "hard drugs" each Monday. Now, in order to continue that group I must get to the clinic by 4:30 a.m. for the relapse group and stay until 8:00 for the THC Group. The new rules seem to be aimed at eliminating people from treatment as well as driving them back to illicit drug use. You can't argue with the reality of "street drugs": You don't need to have a prescription, You can get as much as you want so you don't have go out as much, And you don't have the fear that it will be closed down (There's always another drug dealer). In closing I just want to say that the future looks bleak for us all as we give up our freedoms for the ILLUSION of safety.

Hello-
You said quote: "I've been told by clinic staff that I will be exempt from the rule because I live in Kentucky." So the staff told you that being you live outside Indiana,you're exempt from the proposed "designated driver" law? I haven't heard that. I assumed it applied to ALL patients that receive a dose...regardless where you live. I too attend EITC and have been going for just over 2 years. I live in Ohio and am curious if this is true or not. I seriously don't see why it would matter where you live-you're still dosing and driving in Indiana. If anything,I would think they would be more apt to enforce out-of-state drivers because they have further to drive.

And moreover,I can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone at the clinic-DID THE BILL PASS OR NOT??? All I hear is that they didn't vote on it on Feb. 21st.-and no reason why they didn't was given,either. I thought that maybe it did and staff didn't want everyone to get into a panic-again,it's just my assumptions. If anyone can give an answer,I'd appreciate it. If they didn't vote,why not? Thanks in advance!

what is going on with this? does anyone know? the clinic hasn't said anything else and won't say anything else except not to worry about it. what's up with this law they're trying to pass?

I do speak from experience, I was on a methadone clinic for 15 years on a dose of 150 mg per day. What I say, I say as truth and fact and from personal experience. I'm an old time heroin addict, in recovery, and was on a government run clinic back when they first started, and there were very few people on the clinics unlike today. Over my 60 years, I have had many friends that were and still are on different methadone clinics in the United States.
The main problem in the Indiana area, is that there are not enough educated counselors and staff to pay attention to the patients and know what to look for, they only know what they read in a book about drug addiction.
The driving problem comes from patients that don't use their doses properly or daily, and when they come in after going 3 days without a dose and drink 100 mg or more, and then down the road they shoot some more of their cherry syrup, and get so high they can't drive. Sure there is not a lot of risk if the patients are stable and are using their doses as perscribed, but what about those that don't? After all we are dealing with drug addicts here, remember! If you give a true drug addict a week or month's worth of take homes, a few thousand milligrams of methadone, and don't expect them to try and get high, you are living in a dream world. Some may have the good sense to wait until they get home or to a safe place to double and triple up on their doses, others are drinking or shooting their 2nd and 3rd take home dose before they leave the area.
Sure there are some patients that truely are trying to work the program right, and are stable and doing what they are suppose to, but without the proper supervision and without enough staff and counselors to really know whats going on, it is a real problem.
In Jeffersonville, Indiana, you have one doctor that perscribes methadone to over 3000, that's three thousand plus patients, do you really think this doctor knows who his patients are? If you do you are sadly mistaken. There are simple things that can be done to insure these clinics are run correctly, but with most things, you run into all the civil rights activist, and all the people that want to have their cake and eat it too. Worst of all is that these "For Profit" methadone clinics, really care little about their patients, and are only in it to make money, and to basically keep track of the addicts in the area.
If a person really wants help and wants to get off drugs, they are not going to subsitute the strongest synthetic narcotic available (methadone) for a lesser drug like Loratab, percocet, and other forms of codeine, with the idea that they are getting off drugs. This is like treating someone who drinks 2 glasses of wine or beer a day with a 5th of 80 proof whisky, vodka or any other stronger alcohol. The only thing this accomplishes is getting the patient more strung out than they have ever been in their lives. Treating a codeine addict with methadone, a drug that is ten times more addicting than heroin, is only doing the patient a grave mis-justice. The only thing these clinics are doing is getting them jacked up on a high dose, and making lots of money of the patient. Patients that choose to get on methadone who are not addicted to heroin, or have not been using for a year or longer, and who have not tried every other form of treatment available, are really doing themselves a dis-service, and so is the clinic. Using methadone to treat anything other than narcotic addiction is also wrong. Treating alcoholism, crack addiction and people that take 5 or 6 loratabs a day with methadone, is the bigest mistake these counselors, doctors and clinics make. Most of these patients are just looking for a way to get a legal perscription and supply of stronger drugs, that they can sell to pay their fees or just to make money and get high.
The whole for profit methadone clinic thing has turned into a real joke and the biggest mistake in America.

I was addicted to the pain medicine perocet, from the doctor, he was an old small town dr that never told me the dangers of addiction. I have been going to the clinic and it has helped in many ways. Many people may not want to believe this, but I was never looking for a high. I have not used other drugs except precribed ones. I took my percocets like the dr told me to, but my body still got addicted. If someone is on methadone and still using other drugs then you are not ready to really quit and make the changes you need in your life.You need more counseling than what the clinic gives you. I think that the clinic can be a positive thing if used properly. I have read about all these people nodding after dosing, I think if that is happening then their dose is way to high. The only time I may do that is if I haven't had any sleep, but alot of otc medicines will do the same if you haven't had sleep. My dose is right for me, I function normally everyday without nodding. I believe the clinic should be very strict in take homes and dosing. Someone who is wanting to get high even on methadone they need to be watched closer. The clinic is there to help and if people would use the program the way it is intended then the city, state, and residents wouldn't have to worry about things so much. People can drive safely, and take care of their children better. Citizens also need to remember that if people are getting help, then that does keep them off the streets and crimes down for their community. And for all the ones who don't use the clinic properly and the wonderful people who work there and care about us, and if your not going to try and really help yourself, stay away and not ruin it for everyone else who tries to do things right. In my opinion there is different types of people who have drug problems, one is the ones who really want help and aren't looking for a high and then the ones who can't get enough no matter what their methadone dose is. I believe that when entering the clinic your treatment should classify you (in some sense) to determine the proper way to treat your needs. The 1st type should be encouraged to finish the program asap, so they don't get stuck on methadone and it becoems a problem to get off of. I know most of the patients are habitual street addicts, and their treatment should be different, I am no therapist and can't detail everything, but I do think the clinic can do things upon entrance of the program to make the program more successful. It seems that all patients have the same treatment program no matter how different their needs are. I think they should not allow patients to reach such a high methadone dose level. Ex. I feel that somone on 150 mg dose is not going to keep them from cravings more than a dose of 60 mg. Bottom line is ... I am glad to have MMT, I think they should be very strict and I am sure there are changes MMT can take to make things better and more successful, and the state should address concerns, but lets just make everything as positive as can be and don't judge all patients like a common drug criminal. No program, goverment or person is perfect and there is always room for improvement for everyone.

i am a mother of 6 i never touched no drugs untill 3 yrs. ago i got hurt very bad and i also got a addiction very bad now my world is controlled by drugs i need help now i am destroying my childrens life as well as mine please help me find a methadone clinic i just want to be me

Why do gas stations sell so much butaine and Swisher Sweets? It's not becuase we have so many cigar lovers...

You would be able to find more impaired people in the gas station parking lot on Saturday night that you are going to find at a local OTP.

The Indianpolis gas station are Alice's Restaurant... they sell kits with glass tubes and Choreboy and lighters for crack smokers, beer and many OTC drugs that when combines with alcohol and other drugs will make someone more impaired than a paitent in a OTP Clinic.

Indianpolis also seems to enjoy reting to using addicts... The city and the Neighbor Partner Association rent to addts (Essentially Colonail Parks Appartments is a big half-way house with no supervison at night and the whore and dealers run in an out of govenment supbsusized housing all night...) I guess it is job security for those who work on Alabama Street...

I think the next law we should pass is having a designated driver for anyone who has a drink in the local watering hole...they are more apt to cause a wreck after one drink than the methodne clients...

Indiana Leglislators need to get their head out of the dark place and smell the raw deals they are selling to their constiguents... Have a little come to Jesus meeting while your are voting yourself benefits for life and treating citizen with real problems worse that they are allowed to treat dogs in the dog pound... (Which by the way is air conditoned unlick the local patty wagons and prisons...)

IM an mmt patient and i think they need to crack down on how easy it is to get oxys there what sent me to the cinic there easier than herion to get i started with oxys and when they werent enough i moved to herion my life was in runins till i found mmt

I have been on MMT for 2 years. And I agree with the rest of you. I only got sleepy when I first tried to get my dose at the right level. I never nod off now. This designated driver thing is stupid. What about take homes? I get two weeks take homes and so I am suppose to get a driver for the day that I go to the clinic and then it is ok to take my dose at home the rest of the time and get out on the street and drive? They are so stupid. MMT helped me. I couldn't have kept my job or anything - if it wasn't for them. You can't afford to get sick from withdrawals and try getting off the old fashioned way if you have a job and are trying to get by. MMT saved my life. The legislature is trying to ruin it for us people that are just trying to live. My stupid dr. got me hooked on oxycontin in the first place. Are they doing anythng to him for getting everyone in my town hooked? NOPE.

First let me say I'm doubting anyone will make it this far down the thread to read my comment but I feel it neccessary to instruct others to look at the success rates for non maintenance types of opiate dependance treatment (i.e. 12-step meetings other abstinence based forms of treatment) the success rates are right around 10-20% and I encourage anyone who doubts this to do the research if I were you I'd start with any of the basic medical periodicals. This means that if we relied exclusively on abstinence based forms of treatment for opiate addicts we'd still be left with 80-90% of opiate addicts still using, still stealing to support their habits, still regularly hindering the functionality of emergency rooms, still doctor shopping, still driving high and putting others at risk, still committing violent acts, and generally putting others at risk. Methadone is by far one of the most researched drugs in the history of the United States if not the world mainly from the vast misunderstanding the general public seems to have about it. The problem is how do we effectively regulate MMT programs while still having them accessable to those who need treatment? It is a fact in Indiana unfortunately that because of both limited facilities which by the way has been from the moritoriums which ultimately guarantee we do not have enough treatment facilities throughout the state to meet demand, and from the surrounding states who have even more unrealistic restrictions on treatment making individuals in nearby states seek treatment here in IN. This all leads to a vast overcrowding of facilities in turn discouraging addicts who need treatment and might think about seeking treatment continue to use drugs illicitly. It's ultimately a very complicated issue and like many others unfortunately there is no way for state representatives and senators to be informed about everything they are voting on and to not carry some biased against MMT programs when their constituents live nearby very overcrowded facilities that cause problems. I propose, and this is the key in my humble little opinion to have policy based on scientific research and have a means to asses growing needs in communities to expand existing MMT facilities while finding a better way to regulate dosing. I would actually have less take homes with a few yearly exceptions for holidays and coordinate facilites on a national level that way patients can still occasionally take vacations etc. To give a very brief bio for an example of our current problem back in 2006 when I first realized I needed help I was discouraged from every direction about going into any kind of maintenance program. MMT was literally not even an option the nearest facility was over 50 miles away from where I live and I'm currently in a fairly large city. I spent the next 4.5 months clean taking monthly Naltrexone shots that made using an impossibiliy. I was absolutely miserable I went to meetings literally everyday even on Thanksgiving and Christmas sometimes up to 3 meetings a day. I got a sponser starting working steps but continued to experience horrible depression and anxiety, my doctor tried all the major antidepressants all of which inevitably made me feel even worse. I eventually ended up giving up and going on Suboxone (Buprenorphine) and felt like a normal human being! It's 2 years 5 months later and I lead a normal life, renrolled in college and will graduate in Dec. of this year. The point I'm ultimately trying to make is with a disease like opiate addiction that has a suicide rate at about 10% and the majority of us not even able to find treatment shouldn't we be doing everything we can to help these people? Even if that means maintenance therapy (Methadone and Buprenorphine) which remains far and above the most effective treatment. Shouldn't we demand that more educated people in the field of addiction having greater influence in new laws regarding MMT programs or any other form of addiction treatment? I'm a normal middle class white male Indiana tax payer soon to be college graduate and already productive member of society who happens to have the disease of opiate addiction, shouldn't I and others like me be treated like any other person with a mental illness? Maintenance treatment saved my life, I wish so much sometimes I could just be normal but I'm not. I'm just so tired of seeing suffering that could be prevented. The system is not perfect but nothing is we need to hold our legislature to a higher standard. We need to make sure those who are interested in finding treatment have as many options as possible if we ever hope to see a decrease in drug related crimes.

I"ve been on methadone for many years. I have never had an accident that was my fault. Have been rear ended twice over the last twenty years on a very busy street.

I don't nod out, and I've driven for years. The only time I do nod out is when I take too much xanex. I get 15 O.5 mg xanex a month , which is half of one daily for anxiety and ptsd. I wont take any at all on the days that I go to the clinic until I get home.

I am glad I live in Oregon and not Indiana .

    I can not stand people. If they worried about there own life as much as they nit pick at other peoples life they would be a perfect angel...

Every person on this earth has there own vice or habit whether it is food ,alcohol ,tobacco ,adrenaline ,sex or drugs. so why do you pick on people for going to a methadone treatment center????

Do you realize the drugs these people were using before they started going to treatment???

I was shooting heroin 3 or 4 times a day with dirty needles and robing and stealing and pimping my girlfriend out anything to get my next fix MMT or methadone saved my life and you people are crazy if you think the methadone clinic is wrong for getting people off these harmful street drugs...

And methadone in no way gets you high like other drugs it takes the withdrawls away from the drugs that you were using...yes you have to get yourself to the right dose of medicine and its like that with all medicines...

But if you take the same dose everyday your body gets use to it and you feel normal it just takes the withdrawl away...

I think it is funny how people are so worried about methadone and its ok for just about anybody to get drunk off there ass is that ok to get intoxicated then get in a car and kill inocent people it happens way more than any methadone caused accidents on the road...

And alcohol is legal but hay what can I say thats the world we live in and Im sure even the president has had a drink or two...

And for those of you who care how I spelled stuff or if I forgot to put a period after a sentence go screw yourself I have not been to school for 20 years...

Methadone or not you people are not sober no matter what you say...

Mark