I'm pretty sure I've read the same thing. I DO know that a step-uncle of mine died of a methadone overdose (years and years ago), so it's certainly no safer. Interesting fact: in liverpool a few years ago, a scheme was introduced where addicts where given free heroin rather than methadone, and burglaries dropped by about 25% practically overnight. I think the elephant in the room here is that most addicts are what psychiatric services call "self-medicating". And the level of psychiatric care in this country is shocking (not that I'm aware of it being better anywhere else, mind you)