NALTREXONE TRIAL KEPT 60 PER CENT OFF HEROIN

Drug experts yesterday welcomed a successful trial of the anti-craving
drug naltrexone, but warned it was no magic cure for heroin addiction.

In unprecedented results, 60 per cent of the 160 addicts treated with
naltrexone during a 12-month trial at Westmead Hospital remained clean
after six months.

While Westmead Hospital drug and alcohol services director Jon Currie
said the results were better, he also revealed four addicts suffered
fatal overdoses after dropping out of the program and returning to
heroin.

``This isn't a cure, it's not a wonder drug, just another medicine
which can help, it's only one part of the spectrum of treatments,'' Dr
Currie said.

``About 60 per cent of people are still drug-free after six months and
haven't gone off it.

``We're not advocating that everybody should rush out and get
naltrexone.''

Family Drug Support spokesman Tony Trimingham, whose son Damien died
of a heroin overdose, said the naltrexone results were very impressive
because most rehabilitation methods had success rates of only five to
30 per cent.

But Mr Trimingham said naltrexone treatment was dangerous if not
carried out by experts and it should be used to complement, not
replace, other drug treatments like methadone.

``It's only one item in a whole tool kit or armoury for dealing with
drug problems,'' he said. ``I'd urge families not to panic and
immediately demand this treatment, it may not be appropriate for their
children.''

Premier Bob Carr said the results were encouraging but an independent
assessment of the trial was yet to be carried out.

``This is not a magic bullet ... the message has got to continue to be
heroin is deadly dangerous and don't get tied up in it in the first
place,'' he said.

Salvation Army spokesman Pat Daley said the trial showed using
naltrexone to block the effects of heroin was more effective than
treating addicts with heroin substitutes like methadone.

Mr Daley said the four deaths emphasised the need to provide
comprehensive support and counselling services for patients undergoing
naltrexone detoxification.

The trial showed country heroin users had a much higher dropout rate
than city users because of the lack of support facilities.