GREEN LIGHTFOR 'RAPID DETOX' DRUG

NSW has became the first state to approve the use of the controversial
detoxification drug Naltrexone in public hospitals to treat heroin addiction.

The drug, which will be available across NSW towards the end of the year,
is expected to reduce the withdrawal time for addicts weaning themselves
off heroin by two days.

Announcing the move at a drug summit at State Parliament yesterday, NSW
Special Minister of State John Della Bosca said Naltrexone's introduction
into the public system would provide an alternative solution and would be
administered closely.

"We are very careful and tread our path fairly carefully," he said.

The use of Naltrexone in detoxification has a chequered history, with some
patients dying after the drug was used in the "rapid detox" process in
conjunction with anaesthesia or heavy sedation.

The State Government aims to avoid the problems associated with its use by
only introducing it a few days into the patient's detox process.

"What we are introducing into the public health system is induction onto
Naltrexone within detoxification which occurs after a couple of days and
therefore doesn't have the problems of an anaesthetic or very heavy
sedation and the risks associated with those," NSW Health's Director of
Clinical Health Services, Dr Tony Gill said.

Naltrexone blocks the opiate sites in the brain, suppressing heroin
cravings and preventing any heroin high if the patient shoots up.

Addicts who begin detoxification would be given the drug in the second day
of their withdrawal, shortening the process by two days.

NSW Health will develop protocols for the drug's use, including which
patients would be suitable for treatment, before training medical
practitioners.

Dr Gill said a continuation of Naltrexone treatment after detoxification
would be left to GPs.

"The intention is to get people through withdrawals in a shorter period of
time and hopefully more successfully," he said.

Another hot topic at the Salvation Army-convened drug summit was the
Government's heroin shooting gallery trial.

The Salvation Army's Major Brian Watters said the room would have only
minimal positive effects and he wanted prevented measures introduced instead.