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Can a jail really legally withhold your Methadone if you are in a treatment program?

jessica asked:


When I went to jail, the jail doctor cruelly said “We don’t give Methadone here. We’ll give you something for withdrawl (which is something that doesn’t help with the agony but just your heart rate) but you just have to deal with it.” Methadone withdrawl is hell and worse than Heroin. Have you ever seen the movie, “Ray”? Well, that’s an accurate depiction. I got on Methadone to get off Heroin and it’s been wonderful. I hate that it is addictive but it is the only thing that I’ve tried that has worked after years of addiction. If I had to withdraw in jail, I would go back on Heroin as soon as I got out plus it’d be disruptive to my treatment and counseling. I recently got arrested for an OUI, I missed one day of Methadone which I could deal with but if they give me time, I won’t make it. It’s cruel and unusual punishment and I’d rather be corporally punished by caning! Who do I talk to get this to be a law that you can’t deny someone their Methadone? I want to change this!

addiction opiate treatment
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Written by Admin on September 16th, 2008 with 5 comments.
Read more articles on Law & Ethics.

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5 comments

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Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com broken
#1. September 19th, 2008, at 8:46 AM.

methadone isn’t any better then heroine!! what’s wrong with people anymore? do you not value your life at all? i’m sorry but i have no sympothy for heroin users!

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com scottclear
#2. September 19th, 2008, at 7:52 PM.

If you have a Drs. Rx, and supply the meds, they probably have to give it to you. They may not pay to supply it–that could be the problem.

When you go to court to get sentenced, tell the judge, and maybe s/he will order them to administer the methadone.

** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. **

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Kenneth C
#3. September 22nd, 2008, at 6:15 PM.

Methadone is crap. All it does is substitute one drug for another. I don’t support junkies getting their fix on my tax dollars.

How about this…Don’t go to jail and you won’t have to worry about it.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com Eric
#4. September 24th, 2008, at 10:51 PM.

How do you deserve methadone in any way, shape or form? Its just heroine lite. How about going cold and getting it over with? Can’t do that? Sorry, I never got hooked on it.

Get your own gravatar by visiting gravatar.com left_coast_punk
#5. September 27th, 2008, at 3:28 AM.

Yes they can, because methadone can be used as a drug in jail, to a certain extent, methadone is like heroin, but just not as harmful.

I’m not trying to judge you, however, when you state that by not being able to use methadone, to kick your habit, you are passing the blame on someone else and not taking responsibility for your own actions.

Your argument of cruel and unusual punishment has no legal standing since you voluntarily began using drugs. If you didn’t want to withdraw from heroin in jail then you shouldn’t have commited the offense of OUI. How many innocent peoples lives did you put at risk? Not to mention your own life.

As for wanting to change the laws, you can start by writing your state senators and representatives, or try and meet with them if you can and tell them your story, it never hurts to try.
Best of luck to you.

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