NO MIRACLE CURE

The news that the Naltrexone trial at Sydney Hospital is producing
less than spectacular results (Herald, July 5) comes as no surprise to
those of us who have been hearing about problems associated with the
treatment. Hysterical media and politicians who touted this treatment
as a miracle cure have been responsible for raising the hopes and
expectations of many people struggling with a relentless and ongoing
problem.

It is now important that we do not throw the baby out with the
bathwater - Naltrexone must continue to take its place as a valid
option that will produce positive outcomes for some people along with
as big an array of treatments as possible.

In the meantime, let's accept that heroin dependence is chronic and
for many, a long-term problem.

We must have strategies that prevent entrenchment in heroin use to
reduce the numbers of young people taking up the drug and also life
sustaining options, like injecting facilities to give some life
quality to the users and their families.

Tony Trimingham,
Family Drug Support,
Willoughby