Vietnam will expand methadone programmes for drug addicts, considering it one of the most effective methods to prevent and reduce HIV infection ratio, towards the target of bringing the ratio to below 0.3 percent by 2020.
Vietnam will expand methadone programmes for drug addicts, considering it one of the most effective methods to prevent and reduce HIV infection ratio, towards the target of bringing the ratio to below 0.3 percent by 2020.
Under a project to produce methadone domestically, the country is to be able to provide treatment to 80,000 addicts by 2015.
Methadone has proved to be effective in drug addiction detoxification and maintenance programmes.
Researches in many countries show that one US dollar spent on methadone treatment for drug addicts will help save 7 US dollar on legal and medical costs.
In Vietnam, the average daily cost of methadone treatment for an addict is 15,435 VNS (0.73 USD), half of which is spent on medicine. The cost is expected to reduce once Vietnam is able to produce methadone.
(Source:VNA)
