NO QUICK FIX FOR DRUG PROBLEM

Wollongong Lord Mayor George Harrison yesterday admitted the Illawarra's alarming rate of heroin abuse would require more than a quick-fix solution.

Councillor Harrison, who has previously pressed for reforms to the Denison St Methadone Clinic, took a broader approach to illicit drugs after meeting with the NSW Government's chief drug-fighter.

Rather than singling out methadone clinics, Cr Harrison said the region's drug problem needed a community focus which addressed social and economic disadvantage, as well as mental health and abuse issues.

His comments came after a meeting with NSW Government drug programs director Jennifer Grey and Illawarra Area Health Service executives.

"The high incidence of heroin abuse and need for methadone treatment is a community issue which needs all of us to work hand-in-hand to tackle it," he said.

"We have to focus on how we are going to rehabilitate drug users and solve the problems which were significantly caused by social change in the 1980s.

"There is no simple solution to that."

Cr Harrison conceded some illicit drug users had been unemployed for up to 10 years with little or no support from governments or other organisations.

"If it was any other group in the community, resources would be poured in to help them but this group of people are being treated like lepers," he said.

"We have a responsibility to do something to help rehabilitate them."

Addicts needed counselling and educational training, and skills, in addition to methadone treatment.

Ms Grey and Cr Harrison inspected several sites including the Denison St Methadone Clinic and the IAHS' Bungora Centre, which also dispenses methadone.

Methadone dispensing services soon will have to undergo an accreditation process to ensure their policies and work practices conform with NSW Government legislation.