Methadone theft concerns Saskatoon physician

A Saskatoon physician is concerned stolen methadone from a local pharmacy could end up in the wrong hands and result in a tragedy. 

Saskatoon police issued an alert after a one-litre bottle of concentrated methadone was stolen Sunday afternoon from a pharmacy on 20th Street West.

Dr. Ryan Meili said while it wasn’t a very large amount, it would be enough to cause serious injury or death if consumed.

“It’s not like other opioids. People that we call ‘opioid naive’ or have never been using morphine or other drugs of that type, they take methadone the first time it can be fatal,” Meili said.

“It’s really something they should be staying far away from unless it’s prescribed.”

Methadone is used by doctors to treat addictions. Addicts are prescribed the opioid substitute to help them manage their cravings. However, Meili says, unfortunately, methadone abuse is occurring in our community.

“We do hear about diversion of methadone, people selling what’s prescribed to them.”

“There’s a market for it. Either that or they themselves have an addiction to opioids and there not able to obtain them.” 

Police said in a release the stolen bottle was brown with a black lid. They are asking for information in identifying the suspect and retrieving the methadone before anyone is injured.