Mat Amp, Project coordinator, asks Steve Walker about the policy of ‘daily pick ups’ – the policy that means many opiate addicts have to pick up their opiate substitution medication of methadone or Subutex [aka Suboxone] every day. Some of these people are made to take that medication in front of the pharmacist everyday to ensure that they take it.

Since the start of the pandemic, to avoid face to face contact, many people have been moved to weekly picks up which means they pick up a weeks worth of medication at a time. I’ve spoken to people who have found that weekly picks ups suit them, including one couple who have managed to get clean for the first time in 20 years because they are not bumping in to dealers and other users in the cue everyday.

Steve shines a light on the reason why daily picks-ups were introduced in the first place and the problems caused for some in treatment as a result of not having to attend the chemist on a daily basis.