A FRASERBURGH SURGERY which became famous when one its doctors appealed for more cash to cope with an increasing number of reforming drug addicts, has shut down its substance misuse service.
It is also forcing its addict patients to come off drug therapy such as methadone and anti-depressants "at an inhuman rate," according to one former addict
The move has forced hundreds of recovering addicts to look elsewhere for their treatment an
d has prompted fears of a new crime wave.
A spokeswoman for Finlayson Street Surgery insists the move was necessary after Doctor Sandy Wisely retired last month. And, that it made the decision after consultation with Grampian Health Board and the practice's remaining doctors.
However, the move has been heavilly criticised by reforming addicts, who fear serious crime could increase in the Broch because the alternative clinic on Kessock Road is already too busy and will leave many addicts on waiting lists up to six months, it is claimed.
Two recovering addicts say they are starting a petition which will be available at local chemists in a bid to reverse the decision.
One caller who wanted his name withheld from publication, says the methadone he is prescribed is helping him avoid heroin, but insists doctors at the Finlayson Street Surgery are weaning him off far too quickly by reducing his 70 millilitre dose by a tenth every week. He said he is currently prescribed 70ml a day, but has not been offered counselling.
That's in contrast to government guidelines which suggest 3 to 5 millilitres every week in extreme cases, he said.
He added Dr Wisely - who reported the widespread misuse of heroin in the Broch a few years ago which eventually became national headlines -
was more sympathetic to the plight of drug addicts trying to turn around their lives. But since Dr Wisely retired, the shutting down of the programme will leave many former addicts without the ability to cope with the symptoms of withdrawal, forcing some of them back to their heroin habits and possibly criminal behaviour.
He claims his job financed his habit and feels he's being unfairly labelled alongside more aggressive users who commit crimes.
"I've never committed a crime to finance my habit and I'm scared that they haven't offered me or anyone else counselling - it's far too quick. Even at rehab they don't take you off so quickly," he said. "If they don't change this, within the next two months there could be more muggings, shoplifting and burglaries - they're tarring everyone with the same brush."
Another recovering drug addict who came into the Herald office also fears crime will increase. He said: "These poor people are being forced to come off methadone at an inhumane and very dangerous rate. Someone in the health department has to step in and get this matter resolved. I didn't believe in all of Dr Wisely's practices or comments in the paper, but he did care about his patients and kept a jar on the lid of crime.
"We have to come together as a community and draw up a safer plan of action to help our kids, brothers, sisters and families get rid of the problem of drugs."
Meanwhile, Gillian McDonald, Practice Manager for the surgery said meetings were held prior to Dr Wisely's retirement which decided that the remaining doctors could not viably take on the 200-patient caseload.
She quoted from a pamphlet handed to drug misuse patients which says in part: "Following the retiral of Dr Wisely, Finlayson Street Surgery will no longer be in a position to provide a substance misuse service. All prescriptions for substitute therapy will be greatly reduced and stopped. This will be the case for all substance misuse patients with no exceptions."
Miss McDonald added all of Dr Wisely's substance misuse patients have been informed and will be referred to Kessock Road Clinic, but admitted some may have to go on the waiting list.
