CONCERN FOR ADDICTS

DRUG addiction in country areas is being compounded by a lack of
rehabilitation and detoxification facilities, says an Adelaide drugs expert.

Drug addicts in rural communities suffered isolation and rejection, said
Mrs Ann Bressington, the director of the Drug Beat of SA rehabilitation
facility.

Heroin addicts in the country were travelling up to three hours a day for
methadone treatment.

"There are limited facilities in South Australia for detoxification and
rehabilitation and these people have to travel distances to access any
assistance," she said.

"It's no wonder that a lot of people don't seek help."

Mrs Bressington estimated about 25 per cent of Drug Beat's clientele came
from country areas.

"They stay from six to eight weeks we'd like to provide accommodation for
longer but we only have one house operational and the demand is strong,"
she said.

"People coming in from the country have little bridging support no one out
there to support them when they return to their community. They basically
have got to scope it out on their own."

Mrs Bressington will speak at the Country Women's Association's drug forum
in Adelaide today.

The association's State president, Mrs Marie Lally, said yesterday the
association wanted to "bring the drug issue in country areas out from
behind the door".

"Drugs are in country schools as well as in city schools. It disturbs us
that the youth of our nation are being affected this way," she said.

"The CWA isn't frightened of radical issues anything that affects families
we are concerned about."

The CWA will celebrate its 70th anniversary in SA this week.

After a church service at St Francis Xavier Cathedral, city, at 9am this
morning, members will march to the Adelaide Town Hall where the State
conference and forum will be held.