CAN THEY PROVE HEROIN CLAIMS?

RICHARD COURT says that there are 50 GPs in WA who could administer
naltrexone to heroin addicts (report, 19/5).

He obviously meant addicts who had already given up heroin for seven days -
or did he?

In WA at least four out of every five severe addicts ceasing heroin under
medical supervision are doing so in Subiaco at the Perth Naltrexone Program.

About 95 percent of the people we are seeing can't cease heroin themselves
for even three days. GPs and the Health Department, at present, can help
with naltrexone only those addicts who are capable of ceasing heroin for at
least a week.

Kevin Larkins, the Health Department alcohol and drug policy unit director,
responded on radio to questions by indicating it would not affect West
Australians adversely if the Perth Naltrexone Program closed its doors.

I hope the public is not misled by these statements.

If they are true, can they name one doctor who is prescribing naltrexone in
Perth - for those who can't detox off heroin?

If they can prove that their statements are true then I and my family will
take a holiday. If they can't, they must apologise to any West Australian
family that may have been misled.

Then they must sit down - and re-think their policies.

Dr GEORGE O'NEIL, Subiaco.