A SISTER of a woman who died from the toxic effects of multiple drugs, including methadone, has criticised the existing system of methadone maintenance for heroin addicts stating that it keeps people dependent on another drug and “is not helping anyone.”
Alison Lawlor (37), Ballybough House, Dublin was found collapsed in her living room by her nephew on August 4th, 2008.
A postmortem found the mother of one, who had been on a methadone maintenance programme for approximately 14 years, died from the effects of multiple drugs, Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.
Free morphine, benzoylecgonine (a breakdown product of cocaine), methadone and a lignocaine, (a heart drug and substance with which street cocaine is frequently cut), were found in her system.
Ms Lawlor had attended a methadone clinic at City Clinic that morning and had received her daily dose of methadone, which was dispensed by a pharmacist.
Dr Dominick Rowley told the inquest that the pharmacists are extremely strict and do not give methadone to patients if they are intoxicated.
Ms Lawlor, who was HIV positive and who had a poor attendance at her HIV and warfarin clinics, had been attending the methadone clinic at City Clinic for the last 11 years.
All of the 54 urine samples Ms Lawlor gave while attending the clinic were positive for cocaine and heroin, the inquest heard.
In response to criticisms that Ms Lawlor was not given the opportunity to go on a detox programme, chief co-ordinator at the clinic Dr Desmond Crowley said anybody with the levels of cocaine and heroin she had is not ready for detox. He said the dose of methadone Alison received would not have killed her.
Speaking from the body of the court Ms Lawlor’s sister, Mary Lawlor said, it “has to be stopped because it’s not helping anybody.”
The coroner Dr Brian Farrell recorded a verdict of death by misadventure. Speaking after the inquest Ms Mary Lawlor called for an overhaul of the methadone maintenance programme.