Citation

Winstock AR, Lea T. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Public Health 2007; 31(6): 526-528.

Affiliation

Drug Health Services, Sydney South West Area Health Service, Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia. adam.winstock@sswahs.nsw.gov.au

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Public Health Association of Australia, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1753-6405.2007.00137.x

PMID

18081571

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine current methadone takeaway storage practice among patients receiving supervised methadone treatment and takeaway doses at community pharmacies. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2006 in Sydney, New South Wales. It addressed: safe storage of methadone takeaways; knowledge of risk of methadone ingestion by small children; and information provision from health care providers about the safe storage of methadone. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients participated in the survey. The majority stored their methadone takeaways in a cupboard (48%) or secure cabinet (34%). All but one participant were aware of the risks of methadone ingestion by small children. Eighty-seven per cent had discussed safe storage of takeaways with a health professional. CONCLUSIONS: Most patients receiving methadone takeaways store them safely and are aware of the risk that methadone ingestion poses to children. IMPLICATIONS: Clinicians should ensure patients are adequately informed about safe takeaway storage and the risk of methadone ingestion by children.

Language: en