The methadone debate

There are two striking findings from the three-part investigation of methadone treatment programmes for heroin addicts published by the Scottish Executive yesterday. These are not the numbers of people affected - some 21,000 receive a substitute prescription of methadone to help tackle their drug problem, a 10% increase on estimated figures from 2004. Of those, 7000 are living with children under the age of 16. It is illogical and illiberal to call for more comprehensive action to tackle the impact of drugs on individuals, families and communities, and then complain when more people receive treatment and services.