News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: Hope For Heroin Addicts |
| Title: | Australia: Hope For Heroin Addicts |
| Published On: | 2000-03-02 |
| Source: | Advertiser, The (Australia) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-05 01:35:23 |
HOPE FOR HEROIN ADDICTS
New Drug To Help The Family Doctor Handle Treatment
A NEW drug to combat heroin addiction is expected to lead to more
addicts being treated by the family doctor.
Willunga GF Dr Rhys Henning has been prescribing a low-dose form of
the drug, buprenorphine, for the past 18 months, with patients coming
from across Adelaide and interstate.
One of the states first private methadone prescribers, he said
buprenorphine was an exciting advance in the treatment of heroin
addiction which was widely used in Europe. "Methadone saves lives,
certainly, but we dont run a methadone maintenance program, we run a
methadone prescribing program," he said yesterday.
"Were giving them another drug that people have trouble getting away
from.
"Its referred to as liquid handcuffs."
In contrast, buprenorphine offered - a low level of toxicity, a low
level of dependence and a low level of abuse potential. "Its much
easier to get off; you just reduce the dose and then stop it.
"This particular tool would make it a lot easier for GPs to become
involved because its a lot safer."
With approval from the Health Commission, he has been prescribing a
pain-management drug, which contains low levels buprenorphine. He
averages about three detoxifications a week.
By June, the Federal Government is expected to approve a stronger-dose
buprenorphine, which would be registered specifically as a treatment
for addiction.
Dr Henning is also involved in a feasibility study for the Human
Services Department looking at getting more drug addicts into GP care.
The studys chief investigator, Dr Janice Duffy, said the project
would focus on southern suburbs GPs and what they would need to keep
patients from relapsing.
She envisaged GPs would need a comprehensive support program,
including counsellors and therapists to whom they could refer addicts
to resolve underlying prob1ems.
Dr Robert Ali, director of clinical policy at the Drug and Alcohol
Services Council, said he would like to see the number of GPs caring
for addicts double.
He estimated that in SA there were 5000 dependent heroin users, 2000
people on methadone and only 35 private methadone prescribers.
Most treatment was conducted at methadone clinics at Elizabeth and
Norwood.
New Drug To Help The Family Doctor Handle Treatment
A NEW drug to combat heroin addiction is expected to lead to more
addicts being treated by the family doctor.
Willunga GF Dr Rhys Henning has been prescribing a low-dose form of
the drug, buprenorphine, for the past 18 months, with patients coming
from across Adelaide and interstate.
One of the states first private methadone prescribers, he said
buprenorphine was an exciting advance in the treatment of heroin
addiction which was widely used in Europe. "Methadone saves lives,
certainly, but we dont run a methadone maintenance program, we run a
methadone prescribing program," he said yesterday.
"Were giving them another drug that people have trouble getting away
from.
"Its referred to as liquid handcuffs."
In contrast, buprenorphine offered - a low level of toxicity, a low
level of dependence and a low level of abuse potential. "Its much
easier to get off; you just reduce the dose and then stop it.
"This particular tool would make it a lot easier for GPs to become
involved because its a lot safer."
With approval from the Health Commission, he has been prescribing a
pain-management drug, which contains low levels buprenorphine. He
averages about three detoxifications a week.
By June, the Federal Government is expected to approve a stronger-dose
buprenorphine, which would be registered specifically as a treatment
for addiction.
Dr Henning is also involved in a feasibility study for the Human
Services Department looking at getting more drug addicts into GP care.
The studys chief investigator, Dr Janice Duffy, said the project
would focus on southern suburbs GPs and what they would need to keep
patients from relapsing.
She envisaged GPs would need a comprehensive support program,
including counsellors and therapists to whom they could refer addicts
to resolve underlying prob1ems.
Dr Robert Ali, director of clinical policy at the Drug and Alcohol
Services Council, said he would like to see the number of GPs caring
for addicts double.
He estimated that in SA there were 5000 dependent heroin users, 2000
people on methadone and only 35 private methadone prescribers.
Most treatment was conducted at methadone clinics at Elizabeth and
Norwood.
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