STUDY TO COMPARE DETOX METHODS

THE University of WA's department of psychiatry and behavioural
science is looking for 80 heroin users for a study into detoxification
and the treatment of addiction using naltrexone.

Participants will have access to a free detoxification service and a
period of free naltrexone maintenance for up to a year.

Research team leader Gary Hulse said the study, which has been
commissioned by the WA Health Department, was a significant step
forward in the treatment of heroin addicts.

"The study will help us evaluate methods of treatment and will provide
people interested in detoxification with access to a detox service,"
he said.

The first part of the study will evaluate two methods of heroin
detoxification: rapid detoxification under sedation as carried out at
the Australian Medical Research Foundation and conventional
detoxification as carried out at the NextStep Alcohol and Drug
Treatment Service.

The second part will monitor the course of naltrexone treatment in
heroin-dependent people who will be evaluated in the short, medium and
long term.

Participants would be randomly allocated to either the foundation or
NextStep, but both clinics have promised a minimum waiting time.

People interested in being part of the study should phone 9346 3145.