Dublin-based addiction specialist Dr. Garrett McGovern, who's been a regular contributor to Hot Press' drugs coverage and backed Luke Flanagan's private members' bill to legalise cannabis in Ireland, has given his reaction to our interview with the Minister with responsibility for Drugs Strategy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin.
"The Minister seems to be cut from a different cloth than what we're used to which is encouraging," says Dr, McGovern who's met with a number of his governmental colleagues in the past. "He did, however, fudge a few of your questions. The one about the HIV spike he didn't answer at all and seemed to think that no country had legalised heroin. Actually it has been legalised, or more appropriately medicalised in a number of countries by way of trials which have proven successful. Also he seems a little confused about numbers who cannot access treatment or, more specifically, methadone. They are substantial and without doubt are a major factor in Ireland being in the top three for drug related deaths. He is quite correct in asserting that statutory drug treatment in Ireland seems only to offer treatment for opiate dependence. The list of drug dependencies is expanding and there is virtually nothing for benzodiazepine dependence not to mention stimulant addiction. Alcohol treatment has always been a Cinderella service.
"The Minister will undoubtedly talk to members of the anti-methadone lobby who will sound-bite with the old chestnuts 'parked on methadone', 'liquid handcuffs' and 'perpetual addiction', none of which are based on evidence and entirely miss the point of harm reduction. He says, and I've heard the line before, 'methadone on its own is not enough'. Actually if you look at the evidence methadone on its own is easily the best intervention in overcoming heroin addiction. Hardly any of our patients engage in counselling and this has no demonstrable effect on the outcome of the addiction. I think counselling is very worthwhile in those who feel they need it but to say that treatment is deficient without it is simply untrue and not reflected by the vast peer reviewed research in the field.
 "I hope we get to meet the Minister and put forward a few ideas."