More Tipperary People Using Methadone

Methadone

The number of people receiving Methadone, latter the mainstay of Ireland’s harm reduction services over the past 10 years, has increased by more than 600% in some areas.

Ireland’s use of Methadone, as a treatment protocol to treat Heroin addiction, has rapidly increased, with users of this synthetic opioid here in Co. Tipperary, increasing from 40 to 155 in number.

Currently there are 7,159 men and 3,042 women, (10,201 persons) registered on a methadone treatment programme across Ireland. It is also acknowledged that frequent users of methadone can illicitly redirect same from treatment programs; selling it on to others for similar use.

Methadone, also known by the common street names of ‘Foy’, ‘Done’, ‘Junk’, ‘Jungle Juice’, ‘Meth’ or ‘Metho’, is prescribed to dependent users of heroin and indeed other opioids, as a substitute for these drugs. The long-term use of methadone leads to rapid tooth decay; however, the more immediate side effects experienced, include excessive sweating, constipation, aches, rashes, fluid retention, loss of appetite and painful stomach cramps.

Use of Heroin

The long-term effects of high doses of Heroin causes nausea and vomiting the first time you use it. Heroin is highly addictive, both physically and psychologically. Your body will quickly crave it and you will feel you can’t cope without it. If you use it regularly for 2 to 3 weeks you will build a tolerance, so you need to keep taking more and more to get the same initial buzz. High doses administered can cause you to feel drowsy all the time, fall into a coma or die from breathing failure.

It should be noted that Gardaí believe that a quarter of those arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence just yesterday alone, Christmas Day 2019, were believed to have had drugs within their body system at the time of their arrest.

Since 2004 there have been 8,207 drug-related deaths here in Ireland, with Methadone being one the most common prescription drugs implicated.

There are many who believe that the law relating to those involved in direct drug dealing, when apprehended, should be charged with the offence of Capital Murder.