Pioneering methadone programme in Dar es Salaam gives hope to thousands

Mwananyamala is one of two hospitals in Dar es Salaam that now make methadone available as treatment for addiction. Methadone maintenance treatment is regarded by WHO as the most effective therapy for heroin users, and methadone was added to WHO ’s model essential medicines list in 2005. In combination with psychosocial support, it can help to reduce addiction to opioids such as heroin, prevent infection with HIV and other diseases transmitted by sharing needles, and reduce the criminal behaviour that often accompanies illicit drug use.
Source: WHO Feature Stories - Category: Global & Universal Tags: substance abuse [subject], drug addiction, drug dependence, drug abuse, drug use, substance abuse [subject], drug addiction, drug dependence, drug abuse, drug use, African Region [region], Feature [doctype], United Republic of Tanzania [country] Source Type: news