Tracking system to monitor recovering drug users

DRUG addicts receiving treatment are to be monitored by a special patient-tracking system following a failure to keep check on recovering users in methadone programmes.

The unique tracking system, the first of its kind in the country, will help health professionals establish success rates of treatment programmes as well as their value for money.

The new database though will require fresh legislation. It will help monitor long-term methadone maintenance patients who, in some cases, have been on treatment programmes for 10 years or more.