State-induced addicts
17th December 2009
David Burrowes writes to The Times.
Sir, Melanie Reid’s claim (Opinion, Dec 10) that the numbers of prisoners prescribed methadone is “astronomical” has more credence than Professor Gerry Stimson (letter, Dec 14) allows because both are using the wrong figures.
The latest methadone argument is based on my parliamentary questions that sought to disaggregate methadone for detox from methadone for maintenance. We have known for some time about the extent of methadone prescription in prisons but up until now the Government has been able to hide behind the ruse that this is about detox on the road to recovery. First the Justice Minister kept up the pretence by refusing to accept that the figures existed but eventually revealed that in 2008-09 more than 45,000 prisoners were prescribed methadone for detox (usually for 12 to 14 days) and nearly 20,000 were prescribed methadone for long-term maintenance, not detox, which could be any time from months to years.
Professor Stimson is apparently not only content with a 67 per cent increase last year in methadone maintenance but wants the rate to be increased. The Home Office’s own evidence commends “therapeutic communities” but, together with “12-step” programmes, only just over 1,000 prisoners are pursuing these drug-free interventions. Professor Stimson writes about outcomes and consent but the Government’s determination to manage the problem of addiction through methadone maintenance has come at the expense of denying most addicts their preferred choice to get off drugs.
It is an unacceptable outcome that most addicts entering prison will find themselves developing a state-induced addiction to methadone rather than recovering and having a chance to lead crime and drug free lives.
David Burrowes, MP
Shadow Justice Minister
London SW1
