PUSH FOR RAPID DETOXIFICATION CLINIC

A delegation pushing for a rapid drug detoxification clinic in the
Illawarra will meet NSW Health Minister Craig Knowles today.

Led by former MP Bob Harrison, the delegation will tell Mr Knowles the
Illawarra's high incidence of drug addiction makes it an ideal place for a
Naltrexone pilot scheme.

Naltrexone, which was used in a successful clinical trial at Sydney's
Westmead Hospital, reduces physical cravings for heroin and methadone, and
blocks their effects.

Mr Harrison, Wollongong Lord Mayor George Harrison, retired pharmacist John
Malouf, Wollongong businessman Neville Fredericks and union delegate Mick
Atkins will remind Mr Knowles the region has the second highest rate of
heroin addiction in the state.

"One indication of the magnitude of our regional problem is illustrated by
the fact that some 60,000 needles per month are distributed by the
Illawarra Area Health Service and participating (needle exchange)
pharmacies," Mr Harrison said.

"There are no long-term drug rehabilitation facilities anywhere within the
Illawarra and people requiring this type of health care are forced to
compete for the scarce accommodation at Campbelltown, central Sydney and
Canberra.

"It has been acknowledged that young persons from rural areas have not had
as high a success rate of being cured by the Westmead trial as Sydney-based
patients.

"The reason for this obviously relates to them being away from home, which
deprives them of their family support.

"At present there are two complete floors standing vacant in the Port
Kembla Hospital building and a window of opportunity exists to establish a
drug rehabilitation facility of excellence at relatively low capital cost."

Mr Harrison, during his time as Member for Kiama, paid his own way to
Israel, where the use of Naltrexone in heroin and methadone addiction
treatment was pioneered. He became convinced the drug represented the first
medication of its type to offer addicts the hope of a cure.

The sheer cost to the community of dealing with the aftermath of heroin and
methadone addiction - through the health and criminal justice systems -
meant Naltrexone was a financially viable alternative.

The cost of establishing a Naltrexone clinic would be more than repaid by
the savings to the community through less crime and health problems, Mr
Harrison said.