Doctors from Red Deer’s methadone clinic will be helping out at Alberta Health Services’ Opiate Dependency Program in Edmonton where doctors are leaving due to a contract dispute.
AHS says its three Edmonton doctors are leaving the opiate program on June 30 after unsuccessful contract negotiations with AHS.
But the Edmonton Opiate Dependency Clinic, that has 540 clients, will not close.
So far one doctor has been recruited for the program and doctors from Edmonton, Lethbridge and Red Deer will be providing interim support.
Central Alberta Methadone Clinic, a private clinic, has two part-time doctors who prescribe methadone, which prevents physical withdrawal and reduces drug cravings for opiates, including morphine and heroin.
LaVerne Stevenson, office administrator and part-owner of the local clinic, said this week each of her doctors will spend a day at the Edmonton clinic.
She said it will not impact the operation of the Red Deer clinic where Drs. Glenn Kowalsky and Wayne Church take turns seeing clients one day per week.
Doctors require special licences to prescribe methadone.
Central Alberta Methadone Clinic has run for 12 years and has about 250 clients, up about 70 from two years ago.
“Addiction is very prevalent whether by choice or by prescription,” Stevenson said.
“I’m very passionate about methadone. It does work. It’s only one tool on the road to recovery and if someone is serious it works very well.”
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com