EXPERTS CALL FOR URGENT STATE REVIEW OF NALTREXONE PROGRAM

DRUG addiction authorities last night called on the State Government
to review urgently a leading Brisbane heroin addiction treatment program.

Professor John Saunders, a National Drugs Council member and principal
investigator in scientific trials of treatment regimes, said he was
surprised at the lack of any review of the outcomes for patients in Dr
Stuart Reece's controversial naltrexone program.

``The regulatory authorities and Queensland Health have a
responsibility to oversee medical practice,'' said Professor Saunders.

``I would have thought that by now they would have announced a peer
review or an external review of Dr Reece's program and it puzzles me
that they have not.

``A number of eminent medical figures in Queensland are saying a
review of the program should be done as a matter of urgency so people
can be guided by the results.''

An investigation by The Courier-Mail has disclosed widespread fears
among doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and carers that Dr Reece's
``unfettered enthusiasm'' for naltrexone may be doing more harm than
good for some of his patients.

The Premier, Mr Beattie, yesterday told Parliament a recent study
found untreated heroin addicts had a one in 100 chance of dying,
compared to a one in 61 chance if they had been prescribed naltrexone.

``I find that of grave concern and that's one of the reasons I believe
The Courier-Mail has been quite correct in pursuing this issue,'' he
said.

Experts say naltrexone taken orally or by way of an implant blocks the
effects of heroin and is an excellent treatment for a minority of
heroin users, but it is associated with a higher death rate among
others if they relapse and should be used with extreme caution.

Dr Reece, who believes virtually all heroin addicts benefit from
naltrexone, aggressively promotes its use in his medical centre at
Highgate Hill.

Many parents who support Dr Reece have described him as their only
hope to free their children from heroin addiction.

But Professor Saunders, leading psychiatrist Dr Ian Curtis and
numerous doctors who specialise in drug addiction said it was critical
Queensland Health immediately evaluate the program.

There has been a rising chorus of concerns in the medical community
since The Courier-Mail detailed the issue and uncovered the rising
numbers of overdose deaths that may be linked to the use of naltrexone.

Mr Beattie told Parliament yesterday his Government was in ``conflict
with Dr Reece and his methods''. ``The proponents of naltrexone
including Dr Stuart Reece would have us believe that naltrexone
tablets or implants are the miracle cure that these unfortunate
families are searching for,'' he said.

``But my Government has had concerns from the beginning that this cure
may not be the answer and that is why we have moved cautiously and
have instigated proper trials.''