A new study has revealed that the methadone program is too expensive and is driving people back to heroin addiction.

The study, conducted by Dr James Rowe from RMIT University in Melbourne, in partnership with the Salvation Army has found that the $60 a fortnight needed to pay for methadone is costing users up to 20% of their fortnightly income.

In Victoria, where methadone is only available at pharmacies and is not provided for free at methadone clinics, those who can’t afford it are turning to prostitution or crime to continue to pay for their treatment.

Dr Rowe says that it’s unfair that other health issues, attributed to people’s past lifestyles, like type 2 diabetes or alcoholism, have their medication subsidised while heroin addiction does not.

He says the program must be fully subsidised under the PBS in order to stop driving people back to heroin.

Dr Rowe spoke with 2ser’s Belinda Merhab.