3.4 bio key question

Question 1

what is the biological key question?

Answer 1

how effective is drug therapy (methadone) for treating heroin addiction?

Question 2

bio key question - describe the issue (ao1)

Answer 2

• A heroin addict not in a treatment programme commits crime costing an average of £26,000 a year, according to Public Health England.
• The cost of drug misuse to the NHS in England is £488m every year.
• In America, over 14,000 people died from overdosing on heroin in 2020.

Question 3

bio key question - this is a problem for society and individuals because… (ao1)

Answer 3

This is a problem for society and individuals because…
* Individuals may be victims of drug related crimes (burglary) committed to fund addiction

• Individuals may be exposed to health risks from discarded needles and users may be exposed to serious illness (Hepatitis, HIV) from sharing needles
• All of these factors puts a strain on Policing and the NHS

Question 4

bio key question - apply knowledge ao2

methadone

Answer 4

Methadone is a drug replacement treatment - it is a synthetic opioid, taken orally in liquid form, provided in pharmacies and treats heroin addiction by…

• Binding to the same opioid receptors as heroin, decreasing GABA, increasing dopamine
• Satisfying an addict’s craving by delivering ‘clean’ heroin substitute which elicits feelings of pleasure and reduces withdrawal
• Reducing intake over time, stabilising the addict so they can function

Question 5

bio key question - alternate treatments ao2

heroin assisted clinics

Answer 5

• the priority here is not to get addicts off heroin but to stabilise their lives.
• The treatment is delivered in a very safe manner and environment. They always have more than one member of staff available
• They also reduce the risk of overdose - the addicts are taking controlled doses in controlled conditions with medical professionals present.

Question 6

bio key question - ao3

strength

Answer 6

P - It is effective because

E - It’s not injected reducing the risk of infections from injections (Hepatitis/ HIV), it contains no fillers so is cleaner than street heroin and the addict doesn’t have to get it from unsafe places through dealers so isn’t giving money to criminals.

T: Therefore individual benefits from this treatment because it is a safer drug to take and society benefit because it reduces crime in society.

Question 7

bio key question - ao3

weakness

Answer 7

P - It is not effective because…

E - The addict is just replacing heroin with another substance, so it isn’t treating the cravings and it does not address the reasons why people started using in the first place. Methadone can be abused (taken alongside heroin) and the majority of users stay on it for at least 12 months without reducing their dose.

T - Therefore society and the individual receive limited benefit from this treatment.

Question 8

bio key question - conclusion

Answer 8

Although the biological theory behind methadone therapy suggests it should be a perfect solution to heroin abuse, in reality it isn’t effective for everyone and doesn’t deal with issues such as mental health and poverty. Increasing numbers of councils are piloting heroin assisted clinics to stabilise addicts, which may remove the need to use methadone altogether.