DOCTOR LINKS ADD TO DRUG ADDICTION

UNDIAGNOSED attention deficit disorder is the most common cause of drug
addiction, Perth doctor Neil Beck claims.

Dr Beck, who worked with Subiaco drug treatment doctor George O'Neil before
setting up his own clinic in Victoria Park, said on ABC radio yesterday
that people with ADD had a chemical imbalance which often caused them to
seek relief through illicit drugs.

"When I was working at George's clinic I was seeing more ADD than any other
doctor in WA," Dr Beck said.

The earlier children were diagnosed with ADD and treated with
dexamphetamines, or Ritalin, the less chance they had of progressing on to
drug abuse as adolescents. Addicts were unlikely to kick their habit until
the reasons for them turning to drugs were addressed, he said.

Dr Beck said the naltrexone implants, devices inserted in an addict's
abdomen to block their craving for heroin, made in Perth were superior to
those from the United States, which had been associated with several deaths.

But he said he thought there was a question mark about what was going to
happen when the implants faded which they did after about six months.

"At that point the patient will be susceptible to overdosing if they don't
have the implant renewed or have the underlying problems corrected," he said.

Dr Beck was reluctant to blame Dr O'Neil for moving too far, too fast,
saying health authorities tended to take forever in dealing with such issues.