METHADONE 'SAVED MY LIFE'

In the behind-the-scenes struggle for places at the Drug Summit, Annie
Madden was one of the people who initially thought she might miss out.

In the end, the head of the NSW Users and AIDS Association was invited and
yesterday she delivered a very personal message about drug addiction.

"My story and what I have to say to you today will not leave you feeling
warm and comfortable," she said, wiping away tears. "My story is more
difficult and more confronting.

"The fact is that I have been a heroin user for the best part of 13 years."

Ms Madden's confession was motivated in part by concerns about the way the
summit was unfolding: the lack of input from current drug users and the
criticisms by some speakers of the State's methadone program.

It is a program she has been part of for the past six years. She believes it
has saved her life.

"I can state without any hesitation that I would not be standing here today
if it wasn't for the methadone maintenance program," said Ms Madden.

"It is methadone maintenance not abstinence from drugs that has provided me
with the stability to work full-time, to commence my masters at university,
to maintain quality relationships on a personal and family level and to be a
productive member of the community.

"It is possible to use drugs and lead a constructive and effective life.

"I and a majority of other injecting drug users in NSW are testimony to this
fact."

In talking about her experiences, Ms Madden stressed a broader theme: the
need for drug users to be treated with respect and tolerance.

"Drug users are not the enemy, we are real people suffering a great deal of
unnecessary pain, illness and death," she said.

"Drug users are part of the community, we are your children, your sisters
and brothers."

Ms Madden was one of many speakers yesterday to stress that the fight
against drugs was being diminished by a lack of treatment services.
Two-thirds of users who wanted to go into treatment could not find a place,
she said.

She was supported by the head of the Darlinghurst-based Kirketon Road
Centre, Dr Ingrid Van Beek, who warned that the situation had worsened so
that it was almost at the stage where a person who committed a crime had
better access to treatment than someone who hadn't.

Major Brian Watters from the Salvation Army said the end result of the
summit needed to be increased resources for treatment and harm-reduction
strategies.