Methadone Diversion, Abuse and Misuse: Deaths Increasing at an Alarming Rate
National Drug Intelligence Center, November 2007

The National Drug Intelligence Center published this assessment in response to the alarming trend in the number of methadone-related deaths which have increased nearly 400% from 786 deaths in 1999 to 3,849 deaths in 2004 as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

•    The total amount of methadone legitimately distributed to businesses increased from 2000 to 2006; the greatest percentage change occurred at the practitioner level, indicating that pain management and general practitioners are dispensing the drug more frequently in the management of pain.

•    Methadone thefts from manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have increased the amount of methadone available for misuse.

•    Diversion from pain management facilities, hospitals, pharmacies, general practitioners, family and friends, and to a lesser extent, narcotics treatment programs increased availability, primarily on the retail level.

•    Methadone is a safe and effective drug when prescribed and used correctly.

•    Some methadone deaths and nonfatal overdoses are a result of misuse of legitimately prescribed methadone by individuals who have not been properly counseled by their physicians about the dangers of taking the drug in ways other than those prescribed, including in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol.


The full report can be found at http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/pubs25/25930/index.htm.