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This book will put to rest any remaining doubt about the nature of
opiate addiction being a chronic, reoccurring disease, and the value of
methadone treatment for opiate addicts. And it should help end the
unconscionable prejudice and discrimination that have faced opiate
addicts for so long.

It is also intended to help the general public understand that persons
addicted to opioids, much the same as victims of any chronic,
relapsing disease, deserve to be treated with compassion and respect as
they seek access to medical treatment for their disease.

We hope that the material will be used by policy makers in all fields
that deal with opioid addicted clients, and by the various social service
and health care systems who have opioid addicted clients in common
where any misunderstandings about opioid addiction and the use of
methadone as a treatment can be dispelled.