Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms McArdle. With regard to methadone as was discussed earlier, maybe the Department of Health or the HSE can answer. People who were given methadone died because they had heart conditions. There seems to be a disconnect between the doctor who prescribes methadone and the family doctor. I know of a tragic case where a young man of 21 years of age with a heart condition who had been with a family doctor all his life joined the Army and had to leave on medical grounds due to the issue with his heart. He was prescribed the minimum level of methadone that is given and died after taking his first prescription. When that doctor who prescribed the methadone rang his GP, he asked the GP what substances the young man was using but never asked the question: is this person suitable for methadone? Why is that question not being answered because, according to studies in America, people who have heart conditions should not take methadone? Why is this not being looked into? Is there stigma around people who are in the throes of addiction? Sometimes I think that a lot of these people have had family GPs who would have had that knowledge. Not every person who is put on methadone has no history or supports behind them. That family was devastated. That person died and should not have. That was a recommendation of the coroner's court a number of years ago - I think eight years ago. Has that recommendation been implemented and if not, will it be implemented now?