By Angela Hill

Program to undergo changes

Jun 7, 2011 | 6:22 AM

The Methadone Maintenance Therapy Program in Prince Albert is being reviewed.

Currently the program serves about 310 people, getting their addictions under control and their lives back on track, but there is still a waitlist.

“We’re just taking a look at what the needs of the community are, based on what the resources available are, and looking at the review of processes to how we can best meet the needs,” said Brenda Brake, director of support programs and services.

There are three main components required to keep the program running smoothly, doctors, case managers and pharmacies, Brake said

The program is based around helping people leave opioid addictions, for example it provides methadone to people leaving opioid addictions, such as dilaudid or morphine.

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The doctors treat the clients, the pharmacies provide the methadone and the case managers help the clients co-ordinate the areas of their lives.

“We have gained a third case manager, which is excellent. Unfortunately we are losing a couple of doctors, so that is going to become our rate limiting factor now,” said Dr. Leo Lanoie, an addictions specialist and one of the physicians with the program.

Haley Thompson is the new methadone case co-ordinator and even though she has only been in that position since early May, she knows how important their role is.

“For a lot of clients we are their only community source, a lot of them don’t access other community resources. Methadone is the only one and that’s what helps them get back on track – get their lives back,” she said.

It’s about the lifestyle change that goes with taking the methadone, said Lanoie. Often the clients have to learn new skills and build new relationships.

Cheryl Lucas, another case manager, has been with the program for several years, she said the changes will help.

“We are just (looking) for ways to run the program better and more efficient, I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

Brake said that they will examine how the program runs throughout the summer, and by the fall they hope to implement a number of new processes.

“We still have more patients to see than we can, so anything we can do to make things more efficient is good,” said Lanoie.

ahill@panow.com