Recovering addict supports methadone substitute

A Charlottetown woman who's trying to kick her addiction to prescription narcotics would like to see the province cover the cost of a new substitute drug for methadone.

Some P.E.I. doctors are also urging the province to provide funding for Suboxone. The doctors say it's safer and more effective for young people. A 21-year-old Island woman, who asked not to be named, told CBC News it's working for her.

"The government definitely should support it because it's great," she said.

"It helped me so much. And it tricks your brain to think you're on the opiates, so you don't even think about them. And if you do, it's just like, 'I can't believe I did those.' It's not like I want one. It makes you normal, I guess, and helps you get through."

The government does provide funding for Suboxone when methadone treatment would be considered risky, for example if the patient has a heart condition. Suboxone treatment costs are roughly double those for methadone.

Health Minister Doug Currie said P.E.I. is developing a new long-term treatment program to help young people and adults deal with their addictions, although there's no word on whether the province will pay for Suboxone.