VIRTUES OF METHADONE

Dr John Currie, head of Westmead Hospital's drug and alcohol service,
is quoted as saying that while Naltrexone was not a miracle drug, it
worked better than methadone or cold turkey for the "Aboriginal
community" (Herald, July 5). As chief executive officer of the
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in Redfern, I wish to
state categorically that Dr Cairns is wrong.

There are many ways of approaching drug and alcohol management, and
patients need to be thoroughly assessed to determine the best
treatment in each individual case.

While methadone is far from perfect, it has assisted many of our
patients over many years. Naltrexone may be useful in some
circumstances but it is difficult to envisage that it will become
widely administered in Aboriginal communities as an agent in the
management of narcotic addiction.

Dr Currie's statement may imply a belief that Aboriginal people will
benefit more from Naltrexone than non-Aboriginal people. If so, the
basis for such an assertion has no evidence.

In any case, our communities decide what's best for us through our
representative Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. We
base our decisions on rigorous science and community knowledge and we
do not need gratuitous advice. There is no "desperate need" (as Dr
Currie suggests) to fund more places on Naltrexone treatment trials
for our community.

Ms Naomi Mayers, Chief executive officer, Aboriginal Medical Service
Co-operative Ltd, Redfern