Methadone can help people break their heroin addiction, but only if it's taken as prescribed and under proper supervision.
That's the view of Shelly Stanley, the director of the Island's Drugs Advice and Service Helpline (DASH).
The dangers of the drug were highlighted at a recent inquest on a 42-year-old man who died from bronchopneumonia, against a background of illlicit methadone use.
A consultant pathologist told the coroner methadone could become a drug of addiction in its own right and could cause more problems than the heroin it replaceed.
Ms Stanley says methadone is as addictive as heroin and some people have difficulties coming off it.
However, if it's used properly it can be effective in helping reduce drug dependency:
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