NARCAN KIT PLAN FOR USERS

KITS containing the heroin-antidote Narcan should be given to drug addicts,
says a new report.

Addiction and heroin-related deaths are tearing at the fabric of society,
State Coroner Graeme Johnstone says in the 206-page report.

The document, delivered yesterday, relates to six of 25 recent
heroin-related deaths in Victoria.

Mr Johnstone said Victorian coroners were deeply concerned about the rising
number of deaths from heroin.

The figure has risen from 49 in 1991 to 359 last year.

Projections show the number of deaths is expected to soar past 500 by next
year.

Mr Johnstone said the community needed to look at ways to tackle the drug
problem and save lives as effectively as the measures in place to combat
the road toll.

The easy availability of heroin was one that might require a more lateral
approach, he said.

A former addict who gave evidence at his 30-year-old friend's inquest said:
"Heroin is far too easy for people to get.

"I would say that it would be easier for a 15-year-old kid to buy heroin
than it would be for him to buy cigarettes.

"At least they are going to get asked for ID for cigarettes."

Mr Johnstone said various strategies involving cooperation by a wide range
of government agencies were needed.

"We may eventually have to consider whether it is appropriate to make the
break with our partial focus on legal solutions as we cannot stop the drug
supply," he said.

Mr Johnstone said the reasons for soaring heroin use were complex and
included the stresses of modern life, early school-leaving, unemployment,
lack of welfare support and family and peer group problems.

He also attributed heroin usage to changing attitudes about what
constitutes conventional and risk-taking behavior, cheaper and more readily
available drugs and lack of awareness of the dangers.

He made only a passing reference to injecting rooms, saying one advantage
was that users would not be alone and help would be available in the case
of overdose.

Mr Johnstone's key recommendations include a limited trial of releasing
Narcan to addicts and setting up an independent centre for the study and
management of drug addiction.

Experts are divided about releasing Narcan to addicts but one suggestion is
a kit containing a dose of Narcan and simple visual instructions for
resuscitation and recovery.

Mr Johnstone said doctor and pharmacy-shopping was a key concern and
recommended an up to date database to keep track of patients and their
consumption of legal but dangerous prescription drugs.

He emphasised the need for community education, especially among young
children, and the early identification of children most at risk.