Over 1,400 drug users in Lai Chau province join methadone treatment program

The methadone replacement treatment program in Lai Chau province has been operating since September 2013 bringing many positive results in helping minimize the number of HIV-infected people among intravenous drug users.

Photo for illustration. (Source: baodansinh.vn)

Initially, there were 258 drug users participating in methadone treatment in two facilities. As of April 2015, that number has increased to 1,406 participants in eight facilities. The methadone replacement treatment contributes to improving the health and spirit of patients as well as bringing economic benefits to the economy, security and society.

Methadone treatment has dramatically reduced illegal drug use, the danger of HIV infection from 100% to 0.93% after 9-12 months of treatment; 98.4% of drug users participating in methadone treatment have improved their anti-social behaviour and 46.5% of patients have joined social activities after methadone treatment.

In 2015, Lai Chau province now strives to provide methadone treatment to 1,700 drug users. Accordingly, the province decided to expand the detoxification treatment model with methadone in communes, especially remote communes.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Huan, Director of the Lai Chau provincial Health Department, said that in 2015 the province would open methadone treatment facilities in all districts and 21 communes and places to grant methadone across the province./.

( Compiled by VNF )