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Methadone shortage, users return to heroin: We steal to buy it

Politiko 2025-07-02 20:57:35

Dozens of people treated with methadone have been without their medication for 10 days.

Due to the lack of medication, dozens of drug users have returned to heroin, risking their own lives and safety, as well as the surrounding community.

Users say that methadone, a medication that helps fight addiction to narcotic substances, has been missing for more than 10 days. In its absence, they are trying to find alternative ways to cope with the addiction, which often translates into a return to heroin. The tender of 336 million lek did not solve the crisis, the company denies delays, but the health centers are empty

“I sold the washing machine for a dose” One of the affected people tells “Fiks Fare” that he has been taking methadone for 10 years. “When it is not there, the pain is unbearable. I have no other option but heroin,” he says. “I sold the washing machine for 15 thousand old lek. My wife and son begged me not to do it, but I couldn’t take it anymore. I feel like killing myself when I think about it,” he says. Other users say that they have been forced to steal and sell everything they have to secure a dose of heroin. “Every 30 minutes there is a theft. Every day we think of what to buy and sell,” says another young man from Berat. Heroin, according to them, is very easy to find on the illegal market and costs from 25 thousand to 30 thousand old lek per gram.

Employees of the center in Berat "Methadone is stuck at customs"

Methadone users receive their doses once a week at the city’s polyclinic. But for more than 10 days, they have been told that the supply has been interrupted. A nurse at the center explains that “the medication is stuck at customs” and that the problem affects not only Berat, but all of Albania. “We have nothing to do,” she says. Other center employees confirm to the media that 76 people in Berat have registered to receive methadone. They say they have not received any detailed explanation, other than the fact that the medication has not cleared customs.

336 million lek for 2-year supply

The problem of methadone shortage comes despite a tender held in June 2024 by the Health Care Service Operator (OSKSH). The tender, worth 336 million lek, aimed to supply the centers with methadone for a 24-month period.

Only one operator participated in this procedure – the company INCOMED sh.pk – which won the tender as the only bidder. According to official documents, the contract includes distribution throughout the country.

Journalists contacted the company INCOMED for an answer about the shortage. Its representatives denied any responsibility. “Everything is on schedule. We are not aware of any problems with the delivery,” INCOMED officially stated.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has not yet issued a public statement on this situation, despite repeated calls from users and healthcare staff. /TCH