'BEHAVE OR ELSE' PACT FOR ADDICTS

Methadone addicts will have to sign contracts promising good behaviour
or they will be thrown off the program.

The move is aimed at preventing the 'honeypot' effect as the
Government moves methadone programs from clinics to suburban chemists.

Patients will have to agree to random drug testing, and not to inject
drugs, abuse or threaten health workers or hang around the chemists.

Special Minister of State John Della Bosca will announce today that
methadone patients will have to sign contracts designed to curb
antisocial behaviour.

"If any patients break their contract they risk being taken off the
program," Mr Della Bosca said.

The contract plan comes before the Government launches a program to
close 30 drug clinics and have chemists distribute methadone.

The Sun-Herald revealed last month that 500 NSW chemists will have to
be licensed for the new drug program.