Abstract
Background: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) is recognized as a reference treatment for opioiddependence. According to Italian Law, at the beginning of the treatment patients must receive medicationunder the supervision of a physician, to avoid overdose. After a period of stability, patients could be allowedto take methadone at home in pre-arranged and personalized concentrations, in order to empower theirself-responsibility. The aim of the present investigation is to underline the presence of a “glitch in the system” of the MMT.
Methods: In the last three years, 7 forensic autopsies and toxicological analysis on corpses of regularopioid users were performed into the Institute of Legal Medicine of Bari.
Results: In all these cases very high methadone concentration in blood were found. All the 7 subjects werefollowing a MMT in a Public Health Institute and the cause of death was respiratory depression by overdoseof methadone in 6 cases.
Conclusion: Therefor an improvement of the MMT’s guideline is needed to reduce methadone overdosedeaths in future.