DRUG ADDICTS DESTROY DREAM

A middle-aged couple was heartbroken to discover their house - bought
as a "lifeline'' for their later years - had been used as a shooting
gallery by drug addicts while vacant for three weeks.

Wilma Heller and her husband Ben found more than 50 used needles and
discarded 'fit packs' littering their one-time dream home - its
windows shattered, blood spattering the walls and ceilings and
excrement on the carpets.

The angry couple yesterday slammed Macquarie Area Health Service for
"handing needles to addicts - but not taking responsibility to ensure
they are safely returned".

And Wellington mayor Mark Griggs promised to investigate what he
described as a "scary situation'', asking: "There is supposed to be a
needle exchange program, isn't there?''

But Macquarie Health's sexual health manager Scott Davis yesterday
defended the needle exchange program, claiming between 75 per cent and
95 per cent of all needles dispensed were returned.

And he was backed by Dubbo MP Tony McGrane who, while sympathetic to
the Hellers, said it was absolutely vital for the needle exchange
program to continue.

The Heller's sorry saga began on Monday morning when they arrived at
their Wellington house to find the front door hanging open and several
needles littering the lawn.

"We just stared - after being vacant for only three weeks while we
searched for a tenant, the place had been wrecked,'' Ms Heller said
yesterday.

"There were needles everywhere, the place stank and we believe it will
now cost us more than $10,000 to repair.

"Even as I stood there, a woman I have never seen before tried to get
in through the window, and then vanished when I challenged her.''

Neighbours told the couple up to 17 people a night had been using
their Zouch Street house as a heroin shooting gallery - but nobody had
told the police.

When the Daily Liberal visited the house yesterday, cigarettes had
been stubbed out on all the carpets, several windows were shattered,
used needles were strewn in every room and blood marks spattered the
ceilings, walls and doors.

Ms Heller pointed to a little blue toy motorbike on the mantle
piece...laying next to a used syringe.

"There has been a child in here while they were doing it - that's the
real tragedy,'' she said, blinking back tears.

"This house was our life's dream for our retirement - but we're not
covered by insurance for this damage because there were no tenants
here for three weeks.''

Mr Davis, who personally cleared up many needles at the house,
described the situation there as "disgusting, very
unpleasant''.

"I am very sorry for the Hellers who were quite rightly distressed,''
he said.

"We certainly encourage the return of used needles.

"But unfortunately - just as with drink driving - there will always be
a number of people in our community who will not behave
responsibly.

"However, our needle syringe program is keeping HIV and hepatitis C to
a very low level among injecting drug users.''