JAIL NALTREXONE TRIAL STARTS

OPIATE blocker Naltrexone will be given to 32 addicts in Bandyup Women's
Prison and Wooroloo Prison Farm in a field trial starting today.

The prisoners, 12 female and 20 male, would be monitored to ensure they were
taking the drug which prevents the effects of heroin.

Outside the trial, Naltrexone is not currently prescribed in prison.

"This trial is to bridge the gap from prison to the community for
drug-dependent prisoners nearing the end of their sentence,"
Attorney-General Peter Foss said.

A new Ministry of Justice drug dependency task force will analyse the
results of the trial to determine if it successfully tackles the issues of
drug use by prisoners.