The Punjab government has initiated the implementation of Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) as a globally recognised intervention for individuals facing severe opioid dependency. This introduction is viewed as a major advancement in the state’s commitment to prioritising treatment in its campaign against drug addiction.

As stated by the Information and Public Relations Department, traditional treatment methods have primarily centred around Buprenorphine-based Opioid Substitution Therapy, which is provided at over 500 Opioid Dependency Treatment (ODT) centres throughout the state. This method involves substituting harmful opioids with regulated medications aimed at alleviating addiction and is supported by abstinence-based rehabilitation efforts.

Operational Methadone Clinics in Punjab

Currently, six dedicated methadone clinics have been established in various locations across Punjab, including Government Medical College in Faridkot, Civil Hospital in Ludhiana, Government Medical College in Patiala, and district hospitals in Gurdaspur, Mohali, and Jalandhar. The government plans to expand this network by opening additional centres, increasing the potential total to twelve.

Punjab’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh highlighted that the establishment of methadone facilities forms a central part of the state’s anti-drug initiative, named Yudh Nashean Virudh, which focuses on rehabilitation especially for individuals with high relapse risk due to opioid dependency. Singh emphasised that MMT, which aligns with the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), will improve recovery outcomes and facilitate the reintegration of patients into their families and communities.

The new clinics will operate as specialised outpatient services, providing patients with supervised methadone therapy along with psychological and psychiatric support, relapse prevention, family counselling, and regular follow-up consultations.

Benefits and Administration of Methadone

Methadone is a medically approved treatment option for individuals dealing with opioid use disorder, including those dependent on heroin. Included in the WHO’s Model List of Essential Medicines, methadone must be administered by qualified healthcare professionals as part of a comprehensive treatment regimen. It functions by binding to the same opioid receptors in the brain as other opioids, which helps manage cravings and alleviates withdrawal symptoms.

A key advantage of methadone is its long-acting nature; typically, a single daily dose is sufficient to control withdrawal effects and cravings for approximately 24 hours. This stability allows patients to maintain a consistent daily routine, positively impacting their work and family life.

Daily visits to clinics will ensure that patients receive their prescribed doses under medical supervision, significantly reducing the risks associated with misuse or diversion compared to take-home prescriptions. Over the course of treatment, dosages may be adjusted according to clinical assessments and recovery objectives, promoting individualised care.

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