Imphal. April 14 NNN : Providing a very important step for expanding effective drug dependence treatment option, Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) has been launched on Saturday at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.
Speaking as the chief guest of the “Inauguration and launching of Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Manipur”, I. Hemochandra, MLA, Singjamei assembly constituency said that the launching of MMT would help people of the state, especially the youth, who are drug users to break their drug habits by undergoing drug dependence treatment and care services implemented through MMT, so that a positive change can be brought about by curing those who are addicted to drugs.
Cristina Atbertin, member, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), giving the key note address, said that MMT will not only cure injecting drug users but any type of drug abuser, who can be treated to stop using drugs with the help of MMT.
Methadone treatment is being launched for the first time in North East India at RMS, Imphal, after being successfully launched at the Civil Hospitals in Kapurthala and Bathinda in Punjab and the King Edward Medical College in Mumbai, while the launching at National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi is to follow soon, it is reported.
Methadone is reported to be the most extensively used medication for long term treatment of those dependent on opioid drugs. Extensive research in many countries in America, Australia, Europe and Asia has reportedly shown that MMT significantly reduces drug use, HIV, Hepatitis B & C transmission among the drug users, and this treatment also provides them with an opportunity to restore the balance in the psychological, social and occupational spheres of their lives and assists in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/mmt-treatment-launched-at-rims/
