Latest news with #Methadone
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela releases lab results amid drug use claims from Floyd Shivambu
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela denies drug allegations with medical proof. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers The uMkhonto weSizwe Party's national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, has released medical test results which appear to confirm he is free from drugs and alcohol. This follows public allegations by former Secretary-General Floyd Shivambu that he was a user of the substances. Shivambu recently accused Ndhlela of being "a liar, takes drugs, and is always under the influence of alcohol." In response, Ndhlela has categorically denied the claims and refuted the claims by publishing drug and alcohol screening results on his official X account. The test results, issued by certified medical facility Lancet Laboratories, confirm he tested negative for the following substances: Alcohol, Cannabis (THC), Cocaine, Amphetamines (including methamphetamine), Opiates (including heroin, codeine, morphine), Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates, Methadone, Methaqualone and Phencyclidine (PCP). However, IOL reached out to Lancet Laboratories, who said that they could neither deny nor confirm the results. Meanwhile, Shivambu says thousands of people have applied to be volunteers in his National Consultation Team (NCT). "The people come from different political parties, the ANC, DA, EFF and a substantial number from MK Party. It is very senior leaders who occupy various position in government who have pledged solidarity," he told the SABC. Shivambu claimed that Jacob Zuma offered him the leadership position in the party, but he denied. "In the initial discussions when I joined there were discussions by President Zuma that I must be the President of the party which I rejected. I said that would be inappropriate because I had tremendous respect of his leadership." However, speaking to the national broadcaster, Ndhlela accused Shivambu of being arrogant. He dismissed Shivambu's claims of R7 million being siphoned from the party monthly. "Umkhonto WeSizwe is a strong party. It is the fastest growing political party in this country. We are bound to have alien tendencies that are not cultural to the party. This is the case with what we are finding ourselves in from now. He has never raised the issue of the R7 million within the party," Ndhlela claimed. Ndhlela has also formally demanded a public apology and retraction from Shivambu within 48 hours, threatening legal action if the demand is not met. "Our client, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, has been subjected to a vicious campaign of lies and character assassination," his lawyers said in a statement. The legal team outlined specific demands, including a public retraction on Shivambu's X account, pinned for seven days, and an unconditional apology. "Social media cannot be a lawless space where individuals are slandered without consequence. We are preparing to issue summons to identified perpetrators and will seek substantial damages." The lawyers also called on Shivambu to contact eNCA to broadcast a correction, with failure to comply risking further legal action. IOL Politics Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
Scottish Sun
22-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Scots anti-drugs charity accepts cash from pharma giant that makes METHADONE
The pharma firms sponsored a job role that was advertised Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A ROW has erupted after it emerged one of Scotland's most prominent anti-drugs charities is taking cash from a firm making methadone. Taxpayer-funded quango the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) have been at the forefront of calls for harm reduction methods to solve Scotland's shameful addiction and drug deaths crisis. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The charity receives cash from firms making Methadone - a heroin substitute Credit: Alamy 4 The Scottish Drugs Forum has been pushing for harm reduction methods to get people off drugs - which include Methadone Credit: Alamy 4 Annemarie Ward, of FAVOR UK (Faces & Voices of Recovery UK), accused the quango of having a "dangerous conflict on interest" Credit: Michael Schofield Such methods include addicts being given methadone - a heroin substitute - which opponents say does nothing to get people real help and recovery and just traps a person in addiction. But it has since emerged the SDF is getting financial backing from two firms producing the drug substitutes at the centre of harm reduction tactics. The charity is getting financial backing by big Pharma firms Ethypharm and Camurus, the Mail on Sunday revealed. Among the several drugs produced by Ethypharm is methoadone, which is given put by the NHS for opioid addiction. While Camurus makes a slow-release heroin substitute called Buvidal, which lasts for up to 28 days. The pharma firms sponsored a job role that was advertised at the SDF. The quango was hiring a content creator and editor to help create their "a peer-led, harm reduction-focused magazine created by and for people who use drugs." It was advertised last year with a salary range of £40,937 to £44,699. But the job role said the whole harm-reduction magazine project is only able to happen because of cash given by the pharmaceutical companies. The advert read: "This new project has been made possible thanks to unrestricted educational grants from Ethypharm and Camurus." Drug fix rooms could be rolled out across Scotland before end of controversial Glasgow pilot The charity has now been accused of having a "dangerous conflict of interest" by taking cash from firms producing the drugs. Veteran drug campaigner Annemarie Ward, who has been leading calls for abstinence-based recovery through her charity FAVOR UK, said: "These companies make their money from the very medications this magazine business model depends on maintaining — not solving — mass dependency. "This is a glaring and dangerous conflict of interest." Methadone has been floated as an answer to solving the drugs crisis for years, yet it has continued to claim lives. In the past five years it has proven responsible for 2,898 fatal overdoses. Scottish Tories shadow drugs minister Annie Wells added: "The source of this quango's funding gives rise to legitimate questions over its advice to the SNP government on drugs policy." The CEO of the Scottish Drugs Forum, Kirsten Horsburgh, said: "Scottish Drugs Forum is open and transparent about all sources of funding. "The vast majority of our funding comes from public bodies. "On occasion, we have received a small percentage of project-specific, unrestricted educational grants from pharmaceutical companies. "This is always under strict conditions that ensure complete independence over the work undertaken, with no influence on its content, conclusions or public messaging."
Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Scots con almost dies after bungling jail nurse gave her methadone meant for lag with same first name
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PRISONER almost died of an overdose after an NHS nurse gave her methadone meant for another lag. The woman, 24, thought to be a non-drug user, is said to have suffered a cardiac arrest due to the devastating mistake at Polmont jail near Falkirk. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Methadone is a substance that acts on opioid receptors and is primarily used for pain relief and anesthesia. 2 The accidental overdose happened at Polmont nick in Stirlingshire Credit: Michael Schofield - The Sun Glasgow She received life-saving treatment in an ambulance on her way to hospital, a jail insider said. It's claimed the mix-up occurred because the victim had the same first name as another prisoner who it was intended for. Health chiefs have launched a probe to find out how the bungle came about. A source said of Friday's horror at HMP Polmont near Falkirk: 'The girl has been very lucky as that amount of methadone can be fatal — it was a terrible mistake. 'It seems the nurse got the names mixed up and gave the medication to the wrong person. 'Both women apparently have the same name. "One is a drug user and one isn't. 'Once she became unwell an ambulance was called but there was a delay, and on her way to hospital she suffered a cardiac arrest. 'She has been in hospital since. "Basically she was overdosed by the nurse. 'Everyone is talking about it and how bad this is.' Scots gangster Ross Monaghan 'erased' from Spanish pub just days after brutal assassination Methadone is a strong synthetic drug similar to morphine prescribed to heroin users to help wean them off their addiction. It reduces withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, shivering and cravings. However, even a small dose can have devastating effects in those who have never used it. Drugs 'pass time' for Polmont lags POLMONT inmates are turning to drugs to help 'pass the time', we can reveal. Prison inspectors found young lags are getting high when there is 'little to do', with those on remand particularly at risk. Families of cons also told auditors last year of their 'constant worry' over bullying and drug use. One lag said: 'Trips is how you get through it.' Others told inspectors they felt judged and 'treated like a junkie'. According to the NHS, severe reactions include problems breathing and irregular, faster or slower than usual heartbeat. Scottish Tory shadow minister for drugs Annie Wells MSP called the mix-up 'deeply alarming'. She added: 'With drugs already rife behind bars, it is vital prisoners suffering from addiction receive the right support as part of their rehabilitation. 'SNP ministers must guarantee urgent measures to avoid this happening again.' Scottish Labour justice spokeswoman Pauline McNeill said: 'There must be an urgent investigation into this deeply worrying incident. 'Scotland's prisons are stretched to breaking point. "This life-threatening mistake is a reminder of how badly things can go wrong.' The Scottish Prison Service said: 'We do not comment on individuals. "Healthcare is managed by NHS partners and we work closely with them to support those in our care.' NHS Forth Valley said it was also 'unable to comment due to patient confidentiality.' In 2021 it was announced that a drug used in a pilot scheme to help heroin-addicted lags was to be rolled out across Scotland. Inmates receive an injection of Buvidal every 28 days instead of daily methadone tablets. The Scottish Government said it had allocated £4million for the project after 'encouraging feedback' from the trial in jails.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cause of death released for Redwood City inmate Kyle Harrison
(KRON) — A Redwood City street racer died in jail earlier this year shortly after he was sentenced for his role in causing a crash that left twin girls orphaned. On Monday, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office released Kyle V. Harrison's cause of death. The county coroner's office determined that Harrison died on March 15 at Maple Street Correctional Facility in Redwood City 'due to toxic effects of three medications,' the sheriff's office wrote. The coroner concluded that the 25-year-old inmate's manner of death was an 'accident' and found Harrison died due to toxic effects of Methadone, Amitriptyline, and Gabapentin. Harrison previously pleaded no contest to engaging in a speed contest and felony vehicular manslaughter for the deaths of Grace Spiridon, and her husband, Gregory Ammen. The couple's 7-year-old daughters 'miraculously' survived the crash on El Camino Real, prosecutors said. In February, Harrison was sentenced to serve eight years in state prison. Court records show that Harrison was slated to be transported from the county jail to a state prison facility in May, but he died in jail before he was transferred. Investigators did not say why Harrison was taking Methadone, a medication typically used to treat opioid use disorder. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsive medication that's also used to treat certain types of neural pain. The street race happened on Nov. 4, 2022 in Redwood City. Harrison raced his BMW against a teenager, Cesar Salto Morales, who was driving a Mercedes Benz on El Camino Real. Morales' Mercedes slammed into a Chevrolet Bolt with Spiridon, Ammen, and their two young daughters inside. The parents were killed on impact, while their daughters survived in the backseat. The family was less than 10 minutes away from their San Carlos home. Prosecutors said Harrison fled the scene, and a witness recorded his BMW's license plate number with her cellphone as he was driving away. Police found and arrested Harrison weeks later. After his in-custody death, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office and San Mateo County Coroner's Office conducted independent investigations into Harrison's cause and manner of death. The DA's investigation is still underway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
As New York sees historic decrease in drug-related deaths, concerns rise on possible federal cuts
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) – New York is seeing a historic decrease in reported drug overdose deaths. With threats of looming cuts at the federal level by President Trump's administration, local leaders that specialize in drug recovery and treatment services are sharing their concerns. Recent reporting from the CDC shows New York saw a 32 percent decrease in drug-related deaths in 2024 compared to previous rates in 2023. According to the CDC, approximately 77 percent of those deaths involved an opioid, such as heroin or fentanyl. 'I think we don't really know all the reasons why we see this dramatic decrease. We do know there have been several programs that have taken up more traction. Some of that is the overdose prevention education that the Rochester community and the country have invested in as well as the Naloxone distribution. It's also education around safer opioid prescribing practices, and access to medication like Buprenorphine and Methadone,' said Dr. Sarah Bolduc, chief medical officer for Trillium Health. During the COVID-19 pandemic, drug overdose deaths surged to record levels. With the recent decline comes concern surrounding the uncertainty for continued supports from the federal government. Leaders with Rochester-based Trillium Health and Common Ground Health both say it could put programs backed by those federal dollars in jeopardy nationwide. 'There will be no treatment services available for people who want to get into treatment. There will be no funds to continue the prevention education piece of this, which is very important in our communities. We must keep doing the work until we're told we can't do it anymore,' said Jackie Dozier, director of community health and well-being for Common Ground Health. As both local agencies continue to work to meet the needs of the community, leaders say they are bracing for any possible changes in the future. 'I think we will continue to see more deaths and see less of a decline if we have less programming and support economically for this programming in the community. We believe it's correlated. We know that things like Naloxone work, and having more ready-access and people carrying it just so they can potentially help somebody that's potentially struggling on the street, I think that's very important and all of that takes funds,' said Dr. Bolduc. Last week, hundreds of national researchers and health care providers issued a letter to Congress warning about the 'dire consequences' budget cuts would present for substance use and mental health programs in the U.S., specifically in overdose prevention. More information from New York State on the CDC's latest report can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
