Madam Speaker, there are presently two methadone dispensing sites in Mahebourg, namely at Mahebourg Hospital with 363 patients, and Mahebourg Methadone Day Care Centre, through caravan, with 192 patients. Both sites operate between 06.00 a.m. to 08.00 a.m. Madam Speaker, there have been several requests to delocalise the methadone dispensing site from Mahebourg Hospital to the yard of Mahebourg Methadone Day Care Centre, through caravan, mainly because some patients cause trouble within the hospital premises. However, this relocation cannot be envisaged due to the fact that the total number of methadone beneficiaries taking their doses at the Methadone Day Care Centre would increase to more than 500. This could pose safety issues for staff, beneficiaries as well as the neighbourhood. Moreover, in case of any scuffles or fights, the situation may be more difficult to control since the site where the day care centre is located is small and enclosed by a fencing. Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that a joint technical working group had been set up between the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC), as the apex body looking at the drug scourge, and my Ministry to look into the various aspects regarding methadone dispensing.

Yes, hon. Apollon!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I already had a meeting with the NADC, where I proposed an old police quarter which is not in use. Can I ask the Minister to consider this old police quarter for the distribution of methadone at Mahebourg?

I will take up this matter with NADC in the forthcoming meeting that we will be having. I will try to propose the site.

Yes, Ms Savabaddy!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. The hon. Minister will agree with me that methadone distribution creates a lot of problems in most regions. Has there been any comprehensive study over the situation so as to bring appropriate solutions? Thank you.

Madam Speaker, there is no appropriate solution. In any place or any part of the country, wherever we put up any centre for methadone distribution, we start having complaints as from the following day. So, I do not know where we have to put it up. In the beginning, it was at the police stations. The police objected to it. We moved to the hospitals, the doctors protested. We moved to some area health centres, there was hue and cry everywhere. These people are patients and need to be treated, and you have to be very careful while dealing with these patients.

We have heard you say that before. This is not the first time you are saying this, I think.

There is no other solution. We have to bear with it. We have to live with these patients because, for us, they are patients.

Okay, we are done with methadone for the moment! PQ B/184 has been withdrawn. PESTICIDES REGULATORY OFFICE – STAFF REDUCTION