Clinic makes offer of free implants to help city addicts kick drugs

A YORKSHIRE-based addiction clinic has offered free “opiate blocking” stomach implants to Dundee addicts to help stem the city’s drug death crisis.

Scott Wallace from the Bonds Clinic in Bradford, said Naltrexone blockers can cut drug and alcohol cravings for nine months.

He wants to carry out a pilot project showing the implants’ potential to tackle soaring drug deaths across Scotland.

City drug workers have offered only a cautious welcome to the plan, pointing out Naltrexone has already been in use “for many years”.

Mr Wallace said: “For too long now, UK drug services switch a ‘bad’ drug like heroin for a ‘good’ drug like methadone or Suboxone, both of which have very low success of getting the addict drug free long-term.”

Under his proposal, slow-release Naltrexone pellets would be placed in the fatty part of the abdomen under local anaesthetic.

Mr Wallace said: “The impact on Scotland’s drugs epidemic in terms of saving lives could be enormous.

“We are asking the Scottish Government to allow us to offer our expertise and experience to help the poor souls in danger of going under due to drugs.”

National Records of Scotland annual statistics published in December show Scotland saw 1,264 deaths last year, a 6% rise, with Dundee leading the way per head of population.

City MSP Joe FitzPatrick resigned as public health minister after the figures prompted a huge outcry.

A spokesman for Hillcrest Futures’ drug and alcohol service in Dundee said of Naltrexone: “It has been used with individuals who have left residential detox facilities across the UK.

“As it has been available for some time, we know it is not a ‘magic bullet’ in the treatment of opiate dependence.

“However, we welcome all strategies that provide a range of evidence-based options for people that could support their recovery.”

Dundee had most drug deaths per head of population.