Why does methadone clinics give liquid methadone?

Because they can

^ an idiot typed this.

Methadone clinics dispense liquid methadone diluted with water instead of pills because its much more difficult to hide an ounce of liquid in your mouth and sneak it out of the clinic (to spit out and save, or give to someone else) than a pill. You can talk normally with a pill tucked into your cheek or under your tongue. You cannot talk normally with an ounce or two of liquid in your mouth. They have a sign on the dosing counter window that tells patients to "speak to the nurse after swallowing your dose" at the clinic I attend.