New York Metropolis well being employees have begun delivering free methadone to opioid addicts amid the coronavirus disaster — sparking outrage from officers who known as it “disgusting” and a “recipe for catastrophe.”
This system was introduced Tuesday by town’s Well being Division, which mentioned it started with a “tender launch” final month and was increasing the initiative by reducing the age of eligibility from 65 to 50.
“Methadone is a life-saving medicine,” Well being Commissioner Oxiris Barbot mentioned in a ready assertion.
“New Yorkers who take methadone and get sick from COVID-19 mustn’t have to decide on between getting their medicine and defending their well being or the well being of others.”
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Federal laws beforehand barred dwelling supply of methadone, however the COVID-19 pandemic led to an emergency loosening of the foundations for addicts who’ve examined constructive for the illness, present signs or are at excessive threat in the event that they get contaminated, the Well being Division mentioned.
Groups of two employees every have been specifically educated and will likely be outfitted with masks, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to soundly make about 1,300 curbside deliveries a month to addicts’ properties and taxpayer-funded accommodations, the Well being Division mentioned.
Individuals will obtain a minimum of seven days’ price of methadone, an oral ache reliever that’s used to forestall withdrawal signs in addicts who’re enrolled in remedy packages.
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