Anthrax fears mean more methadone

Published on Wednesday 24 February 2010 21:46

THE Scottish Government has sanctioned an increase in methadone programmes across the country to halt the spread of anthrax among injecting drug users.

The outbreak has already claimed ten lives in Scotland, prompting an increase in demand for drug treatment services from heroin addicts desperate to avoid potentially infected needles.

Now The Scotsman can reveal that the government has written to all health boards offering extra funding for an increase in drug treatment services, in a bid to stop heroin addicts injecting.

One health board, Ayrshire and Arran, has requested 500,000 to reduce its waiting list for methadone treatment.

Earlier this week, the outbreak claimed its tenth victim when a drug user died of anthrax in Fife, while the Scottish outbreak has been linked to the deaths of drug users in England and Germany.

The government agreed to consider requests for extra support for drug treatment programmes after a crisis meeting between their anthrax outbreak control team and health boards held on 28 January.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "The Scottish Government, on behalf of the Outbreak Control Team, wrote to all health boards to reassure them that, should they see a significant increase in demand for drug treatment services as a result of the anthrax contamination of heroin, the Scottish Government will work with them to ensure they are able to respond appropriately."

He added: "The government's drug policy unit have met with Ayrshire and Arran, and remain in discussions with the health board about the kind of support they require."