QLD GOVT URGED TO RELEASE NALTREXONE TRIAL RESULTS

The Queensland Government is being urged to release the results of a
hospital trial where heroin addicts undergo rapid detoxification using the
drug Naltrexone.

Almost 160 people have taken part in the trials at the Royal Brisbane
Hospital and Greenslopes Private Hospital since March 1999.

However, Health Minister Wendy Edmond has refused to release the results of
the treatment which involves patients being sedated while they are detoxed.

Ms Edmond says the trial results are being evaluated by the National Drug
and Alcohol Research Centre.

But Opposition health spokeswoman Fiona Simpson says they should be released.

"But it's now three years later since the Naltrexone trials were initiated
and still there aren't results and given the stated concerns of the
Minister about this drug, I can't understand why she won't release the
results of those trials," she said.