By Gvsto
New York Metropolis well being staff have begun delivering free methadone to opioid addicts amid the coronavirus disaster — sparking outrage from officers who referred to 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 “comfortable launch” final month and was increasing the initiative by decreasing the age of eligibility from 65 to 50.
“Methadone is a life-saving remedy,” 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 remedy and defending their well being or the well being of others.”
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Federal laws beforehand barred house supply of methadone, however the COVID-19 pandemic led to an emergency loosening of the principles for addicts who’ve examined optimistic for the illness, present signs or are at excessive danger in the event that they get contaminated, the Well being Division mentioned.
Groups of two staff every have been specifically skilled 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 resorts, the Well being Division mentioned.
Members will obtain no less than seven days’ price of methadone, an oral ache reliever that’s used to forestall withdrawal signs in addicts who’re enrolled in therapy packages.
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