General Discussion

backscatter712

(26,357 posts)

141. I prefer methadone as a harm-reduction solution.

Tue Feb 14, 2012, 11:10 AM

Feb 2012

The goal is harm reduction.

Let's face it. Opiates are harmful. The question is what the best strategy is to minimize the harm. Banning it is a bad solution, we all know why. Heroin's such a powerful drug that having it on drugstore shelves for anyone to buy will result in a bunch of OD deaths.

But methadone clinics have a proven track record of helping people deal with their addictions, limiting risky behavior like sharing needles or shooting up with Krokodil, reducing crime and reducing opiate use.

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If drugs remain illegal - this is what you get (WARNING: Extremely graphic pic) [View all] Taverner Feb 2012 OP

Yikes... midnight Feb 2012 #1

Do you have a link? meegbear Feb 2012 #2

Just google "krokodil" redqueen Feb 2012 #9

Gah, Russia just makes me sad. Brickbat Feb 2012 #3

YIKES!!! Cali_Democrat Feb 2012 #4

Omg! HappyMe Feb 2012 #5

I wonder if they publicize this in Russia? Show these as public service announcements? kittykitty Feb 2012 #6

Anybody understand Russian? Upton Feb 2012 #7

Though I agree with your assessment of the legatilities, etc., these drugs Lionessa Feb 2012 #8

photoshop? librechik Feb 2012 #10

Sadly, they aren't. redqueen Feb 2012 #11

oh my. librechik Feb 2012 #13

It's worth noting that codeine is OTC in Russia and several other countries. lapislzi Feb 2012 #14

That's a slippery slope argument for regulating OTC codeine though. Spider Jerusalem Feb 2012 #29

Oh, I quite agree. lapislzi Feb 2012 #38

This message was self-deleted by its author Occupy_2012 Feb 2012 #24

That is sad and Newest Reality Feb 2012 #12

+100 Taverner Feb 2012 #17

So, if Krokodil is legal it will be safe? FrodosPet Feb 2012 #22

The workable solution is methadone clinics. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #110

I thought methadone was just as bad, and its a green like syrup which rots the teeth. MichaelMcGuire Feb 2012 #116

Methadone is used to treat addiction in that it eases withdrawal symptoms... backscatter712 Feb 2012 #138

agreed althou it not without its problems MichaelMcGuire Feb 2012 #160

Fair enough. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #162

Just to be clear when I meant "just as bad" I mean heroin MichaelMcGuire Feb 2012 #166

No, if pharm grade HEROIN and MORPHINE are legal, krokodil goes away Taverner Feb 2012 #123

I prefer methadone as a harm-reduction solution. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #141

But methadone will not get the user "high" Taverner Feb 2012 #145

After a while of building tolerance, heroin won't get you high either. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #149

The krokodil prototype was synthesized in a lab lapislzi Feb 2012 #168

The question is whether it's the desomorphine itself that's causing the damage... backscatter712 Feb 2012 #163

Darn, ya beat me to it. lapislzi Feb 2012 #169

Yes, polly7 Feb 2012 #177

You could argue (I won't) that krokodil is the evil stepchild of a legal drug. lapislzi Feb 2012 #171

I hope libtodeath Feb 2012 #15

Where did that come from? Are you suggesting they make heroin legal in response? usregimechange Feb 2012 #16

Yes, yes I am Taverner Feb 2012 #18

Compared to what? If you make it legal no one will do it, like alcohol or tobacco? usregimechange Feb 2012 #25

Are you over-simplifying legalization, perhaps? The taxes alone could fund authentic patrice Feb 2012 #23

We aren't talking about cannabis here, legalizing something like that would have major... usregimechange Feb 2012 #26

I believe OP is about other types of legalization. And the word "addiction" does not apply to patrice Feb 2012 #32

And if you're referring to "psychological addiction" well, then, the fact that it IS psychological patrice Feb 2012 #33

We could adopt the Swiss model SOS Feb 2012 #144

I would support this. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #150

Not illogical or ridiculous at all. Webster Green Feb 2012 #35

"Heroin is not really that dangerous." Sparkly Feb 2012 #41

Drugs like Heroin, Meth and Crack - you develop a tolerance LynneSin Feb 2012 #131

OMG... I am forever tainted by those pictures fascisthunter Feb 2012 #19

Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Feb 2012 #20

Ho-leee Crap! Arugula Latte Feb 2012 #21

You said it. glinda Feb 2012 #109

holy mother of mercy... WillyT Feb 2012 #27

What is the point of posting these images? randome Feb 2012 #28

Spot on! FrodosPet Feb 2012 #34

That is so absurd. Webster Green Feb 2012 #36

You think people who behead other people just to make a point... randome Feb 2012 #39

OK Webster Green Feb 2012 #40

I'm not grasping at anything. randome Feb 2012 #43

I take it you support alchohol prohibition, too? markpkessinger Feb 2012 #48

You could have read my last paragraph, you know. randome Feb 2012 #51

All we would do is move it from one cartel to another (Big Pharma) LynneSin Feb 2012 #132

Good point. Webster Green Feb 2012 #172

^Agree. ^ The photos bother me but... Mimosa Feb 2012 #170

Well, I did warn you... Taverner Feb 2012 #125

Images are information Demstud Feb 2012 #127

What's just as disturbing is that there are certain illegal, Schedule I "drugs"... drokhole Feb 2012 #30

Heroin is not a safe product. chrisa Feb 2012 #31

Oh, bullshit. Webster Green Feb 2012 #37

"It's quite nice actually." Sparkly Feb 2012 #42

I don't need to. Webster Green Feb 2012 #44

"It took me years to get them trained up so good though." randome Feb 2012 #47

Think whatever you like. Webster Green Feb 2012 #53

You're taking Morphine, Oxys and Valium? Sparkly Feb 2012 #58

Don't feel sorry for me. Save it for those who need pain meds and can't get them. Webster Green Feb 2012 #114

I prefer propofol. Legalize it! nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #118

I know exactly what you mean Taverner Feb 2012 #126

Brainwashed by people like Allen Ginsberg? RZM Feb 2012 #148

An addict will tell you that it is indeed the nicest thing in the world Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #52

Bingo! Webster Green Feb 2012 #55

An addict will say that because they are an addict chrisa Feb 2012 #65

Well, of course they would, that's my point Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #69

Apples and oranges. The two can't even be compared. chrisa Feb 2012 #73

Oh, they can be compared, but you are unwilling to do so Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #80

Yeah, because an addict is only an addict... randome Feb 2012 #76

Huh? (it appears that indignation may be overtaking clarity) Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #81

ZING!!!!! Taverner Feb 2012 #128

Sure, they'll steal, they'll commit fraud, whatever. Spider Jerusalem Feb 2012 #135

'Cause dehumanizing rhetoric is so helpful Scootaloo Feb 2012 #154

The criminality makes it worse. Sparkly Feb 2012 #67

Some junkies love the activity surrounding illegal drugs.... Zookeeper Feb 2012 #175

"It's quite nice" Have you ever known a heroin addict? chrisa Feb 2012 #45

I've know plenty of them. I've been one. Webster Green Feb 2012 #49

You know it's bad stuff deep down. You're excusing the drug. chrisa Feb 2012 #54

That is false Webster Green Feb 2012 #59

Where are you going, Erowid?? Sparkly Feb 2012 #64

Erowid is a good site JonLP24 Feb 2012 #106

I call bullshit. Sparkly Feb 2012 #60

You would be wrong. Webster Green Feb 2012 #72

This is not about stereotypes. Sparkly Feb 2012 #87

I'm 65 on Wed. Webster Green Feb 2012 #95

Sorry, no. Sparkly Feb 2012 #97

I used heroin, also lots of painkiller pills and LSD, and yes, I realize that acid is not an opiate. Webster Green Feb 2012 #100

I'm sorry, but to me you might as well be saying you're a pink elephant with purple spots. Sparkly Feb 2012 #102

Sparkly...I have to jump in here. Boudica the Lyoness Feb 2012 #152

Opiates show great promise for treating depression Cetacea Feb 2012 #112

Nothing quite like driving a school bus on opiates. My day flies by. nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #119

You beat me too it. Webster Green Feb 2012 #173

The ones who look like they are dying are using the black tar variety Taverner Feb 2012 #129

You scare the shit out of me. Pot is fucking safe. Heroin is not. Logical Feb 2012 #46

It is fairly safe if you know your tolerance and you know the dose you are getting. Webster Green Feb 2012 #50

I love it when people like you think every damn drug invented should be 100%.... Logical Feb 2012 #56

Well, there are downsides to many things Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #57

Don't forget... randome Feb 2012 #62

WTF are you talking about? Crack = Love? Logical Feb 2012 #66

I assume you just randomly picked your user name Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #75

No, I assume you do not know what logical means. Logical Feb 2012 #88

I didn't say that. Webster Green Feb 2012 #61

No children, I take it. randome Feb 2012 #63

I'm actually shocked that it took 62 posts before the inevitable WSTATC???!!! Tom Ripley Feb 2012 #78

It's a perfectly valid point that someone with children... randome Feb 2012 #82

OMG! How lame! Webster Green Feb 2012 #79

Do you give drugs to your children? randome Feb 2012 #85

+1000000. nt riderinthestorm Feb 2012 #90

"You just want to rationalize your own need for drugs." Webster Green Feb 2012 #96

If you want to lower sentences, I am all in favor of what you are saying..... Logical Feb 2012 #68

Decriminalize, yes. Legalize, no. randome Feb 2012 #70

xanax works great for anxiety. LisaL Feb 2012 #74

And if you don't? FrodosPet Feb 2012 #77

That is exactly the problem that legalization would remove. Webster Green Feb 2012 #84

You said it yourself. randome Feb 2012 #86

Wow! Totally clueless. Webster Green Feb 2012 #98

Portugal did NOT legalize drugs! FrodosPet Feb 2012 #107

Can you not read very well? randome Feb 2012 #115

There's no way bathtub gin competes with mass produced tanqueray... Taverner Feb 2012 #130

After reading your numerous posts on this issue, for what it's worth,.. BlueJazz Feb 2012 #99

So it WILL be affordable? FrodosPet Feb 2012 #103

Pharmaceutical grade heroin administered in controlled doses is quite safe, actually. Spider Jerusalem Feb 2012 #137

I can support legal injection clinics for heroin addicts. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #151

I will agree pot is safe, but do you have any data showing heroin is dangerous Taverner Feb 2012 #147

I simply do not follow your argument. LisaL Feb 2012 #71

They can get Bayer Heroin over the counter Taverner Feb 2012 #83

They get legal stuff over the counter LisaL Feb 2012 #89

Being addicted is really not that big of a deal until you run out. Webster Green Feb 2012 #108

So true Cetacea Feb 2012 #111

Why didn't you just buy him some heroin? Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #120

Because the OTC version would be cheaper, safer and more exact Taverner Feb 2012 #117

Depends on how much cheaper the homemade variety is. nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #121

Hard to compete with mass production Taverner Feb 2012 #122

My homemade bread is cheaper than store-bought. nt Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #134

But if you were to sell it it wouldn't be Taverner Feb 2012 #146

But why would I buy it when I can make my own more cheaply? Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #153

No it doesn't give you a more intense high! Taverner Feb 2012 #155

I've read varying accounts. Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #156

If it were OTC, and sold for what it would cost to make in a lab... Taverner Feb 2012 #157

Hard to beat £2 per vial Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #159

Benadryl is intended to help you. chrisa Feb 2012 #158

What do you take, OTC, for emotional pain? Taverner Feb 2012 #165

Nothing. You take anti-depressants for depression, chrisa Feb 2012 #167

There's a difference between decriminalizing, and legalizing. riderinthestorm Feb 2012 #91

Thank you for this!! Sparkly Feb 2012 #92

That was the thread that got me thinking more about the differences between the two. randome Feb 2012 #93

There's a reason why our government has funded methadone clinics. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #104

OMG, my eyes! Odin2005 Feb 2012 #94

How can you have BONE exposed like that and not be dead of gangrene? backscatter712 Feb 2012 #101

I wondered the same thing. Webster Green Feb 2012 #105

I imagine the ones with those kind of wounds would eventually die. LisaL Feb 2012 #113

Any doctor looking at that would order immediate amputation. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #142

Yeah, 'cause Xanax and a warm bath are both legal and safer. Nuclear Unicorn Feb 2012 #124

This message was self-deleted by its author Obamanaut Feb 2012 #133

The goal is harm reduction. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #139

Anybody actually bother to read this? Snake Alchemist Feb 2012 #136

Essentially like cooking meth. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #143

Russia desperately needs some methadone clinics. backscatter712 Feb 2012 #140

O M G...I knew I shouldn't have opened this post, NorthCarolina Feb 2012 #161

No, sadly they are not Taverner Feb 2012 #164

lets legalize it all for children, teens and adults NotThisTime Feb 2012 #174

Dude should rent himself out for Halloween. MrSlayer Feb 2012 #176

Don't legalize it... phase it out wmcgrath0315 Mar 2012 #178