The Take-Safe device is a hardened plastic container with a microprocessor which can only be locked or unlocked by the dispensing pharmacist, and is designed to deliver a single take-away dose of methadone every 24 hours for up to six days. The Take-Safe trial aimed to see if this device helped to make the use of methadone safer, by reducing the risk of it being misused or diverted to other users.

The trial, which started in Newcastle in March 2006, was rolled out to Cessnock and Tamworth over the following six weeks, and continued for a period of six months. Thirty-three participants were recruited from community and public clinic sites. Twenty-seven completed the evaluation period. The device was then available to clients from July 2007.

Not having to travel to a dosing point each day has helped to normalise people’s lives. The benefit of normalising lives means that people are more able to gain employment, take up studies or job training, care for their family and move their lives away from the drug scene.

In February this year the Take-Safe device was removed from use for a review period of three months, in response to a user tampering with one and overdosing. For local users who have been on the system and loved it, this is a blow. One of the particular benefits was the ability to dose at a time of the day that suits you; for example, in the evening if you work early, or after lunch if you want to avoid the possibility of nodding off in a meeting!

This device is really highly regarded and has changed the lives of people who have been able to get one: it’s meant for some a return to work without fear of lateness caused by a pile-up at the dosing point, the ability to travel for work, and the return of control over one’s own life.

I can only imagine how valuable this device is for people in rural locations, who are often faced with the high cost of petrol or bus fares to get to their dosing point each day, or whose dosing hours conflict with their children’s school hours.

User’s News will keep you posted about the developments that we hope will bring Take-Safe back into use as soon as possible.

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Comments (1)

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written by Jennifer Ryan., August 27, 2012

Dear Kerri,
Hi how are you?I am a long term methadone patient from Queensland.(Gold Coast area) Could you please send me any relevant information on The Take Safe Device. The information on here is outdated.Is it still being used?I am very keen to see if we might be able to introduce this device to Miami,Gold Coast A.T.O.D.s.
I am thinking that if I gather some material on the Device, I can at least present something to my Doctor and Councellor to consider.It is a Nightmare to try and visit family in outback regions.I am happy to pay for the posting costs of anything you may be able to send.My postal address is 31 Collins Cresent, Benowa.4217.Mobile number;0451093982. Thanks for your time.Hope to hear from you soon.Kind Regards,Jenni Ryan.

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