Methadone has many truths and myths, but clinic has done wonders for Constance Lake: client

Re: ‘Eabametoong declares state of emergency over murders, arson’ in the Oct. 28 edition of Wawatay News.

My name is Eva Taylor and I’m 29 years old. I am a community member of Constance Lake First Nation. Like other First Nation communities, we have prescription drug abuse issues here too.

But our community has a methadone clinic and I believe it has done wonders for my community.

I am a client of the methadone program, as I am a recovering prescription drug addict. I used percocetes and oxycontin, then graduated onto injecting 200 milligrams of morphine over a period of four years. I can understand what these addicts are going through.

I suggest Eabametoong try some form of methadone treatment. Though methadone is not a cure for opiate addiction, it is a tool that can help one live a manageable life.

Methadone is an opioid too, so you will become dependant on it. But with this drug, you take it once a day. Once you are on the proper dosage you will be relieved of drug cravings, withdrawal symptoms and the drug-seeking behaviour that nags the addict (which leads to stealing and harming others).

Long-term commitment is necessary to ensure success.

I have been using methadone for three years and if I hadn’t, I would not be here today. I am not perfect but I am a lot better person than I was as an addict. I am dependant on methadone yes, but I do not think or behave like I did when I was abusing oxy’s and morphine.

Since methadone is a slow-acting opiate, it rarely produces a high, it only makes you feel ‘normal’ enabling the addict to go on with their day.

However, if one is thinking about going on methadone or providing these services in their community, please read up on the treatment outline and the truths and myths about it before deciding this is the best route. Education is key.

Even though my community has had this service since 2006, there are still ignorant people in my community that refuse to accept that methadone helps. Many people still bash the use of the methadone, saying it rots teeth, that you’re stuck on it for life and that it causes birth defects (all of which is not true).

I can’t even imagine how my community would be if this treatment wasn’t available here. We even service non-Aboriginal addicts in nearby towns.

Methadone is one of the most successful opiate addiction treatments. I know there are many other treatment options, but please accept the fact that prescription drug abuse is here to stay in all communities, not just First Nations, so we might as well find options that work for the addicts.

From personal experience, I know if someone goes on methadone and tries with the best of efforts, it can save your life. I would rather take methadone once a day than live the hellhole life I had before.

It is not as easy as ‘just quit, just stop taking the pills.’

Once you are addicted to opiates, your brain thinks differently. You cannot simply turn off your cravings. A person who can’t stop is not weak. It’s not because they are not trying hard enough, they just can’t stop.

Try to remember this when you wonder why there are so many addicts in your community. This is where methadone can help.

Eva Taylor
Constance Lake