that methadone supplies -- a drug used to treat heroin addiction -- have run out.

A Government statement released yesterday rebuffed claims by callers to ZBM's David Lopes Show that Bermuda was suffering from a shortage of methadone.

"The Department of Health would like to reassure the public that no such shortage exists,'' the statement said.

A methadone programme with about 60 places is available at Addiction Services.

Heroin addicts are prescribed methadone which is also addictive but which, with proper doses and counselling, can reduce or eliminate the need for heroin in most cases.

Last November Addiction Services counsellor Mrs. Gryneth Robinson left her job citing a number of complaints. They included concerns that addicts were being turned away from lack of space.

And earlier in the year, a probation officer complained in Magistrates' Court of long waiting lists for addicts wishing to go on the methadone treatment programme.

But since Mrs. Robinson's departure, support staff levels have been increased and places on the methadone programme have been upped from less than 50 to close to 60. Opening hours have also been extended from just one hour in the morning to between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We are not turning people away,'' an Addiction Services employee said.

Senior Medical Officer Dr. Brenda Davidson also claimed waiting lists were unusual.

"Waiting lists are very small. We take them as they appear.'' Most addicts were taken on the programme within a week, she said. But, sometimes clients refused to keep certain commitments and were therefore not suited to the programme.

Clients who repeatedly dropped out of the programme were assessed over a period of time before they were readmitted.

"It is for those who want to get off it quickly,'' Dr. Davidson said.