QUEBEC WILL SPEND AN EXTRA C$3 MILLION FOR METHADONE

MONTREAL - Quebec will spend an extra C$3 million (U.S.$2 million)
over the next three years to substantially increase the availability
of methadone treatment for heroin addicts, junior health minister
Gilles Baril announced Saturday.

The aim is to bring an additional 2,500 addicts -- about half the
number of heroin addicts in Montreal -- into methadone programs.
Publicly funded programs now handle only about 700 of the city's
addicts, Baril said.

The money is to go to the Montreal regional health board for
distribution among hospitals and community-based projects, with
emphasis on programs for street kids, prisoners and pregnant women.

Methadone reduces the craving for heroin without producing the same
euphoria, and is less addictive.