HEROIN TRIALS AN EARLY SUCCESS

TRIALS of a naltrexone detoxification program for heroin addicts have been
almost 100 per cent successful, early results reveal.

Doctors are excited about the technique, which uses the drug to block the
action of heroin, and anaesthesia to manage the acute four-hour withdrawal
period.

It has been used on more than 150 addicts at Sydney's Westmead Hospital -
almost all of whom achieved detoxification.

Other heroin detoxification methods have had, at best, a 30 per cent success
rate.

An interim assessment of the naltrexone trials was presented yesterday at a
medical conference in Adelaide.

Westmead Hospital's intensive care director, Dr Yugan Mudaliar, said the
rapid onset of withdrawal using naltrexone caused severe discomfort, but was
made tolerable with anaesthesia: "This is done in a purpose-built area of
our intensive care unit where we can provide a safe environment to manage
the anaesthesia and any side effects of the acute withdrawal," Dr Mudaliar
said.

The entire withdrawal process under the technique took three to six hours,
compared with several days using the "cold turkey" method, the Annual
Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of
Anaesthetists was told.

Cold turkey and medicated withdrawal methods had been no more than 30 per
cent effective in achieving detoxification.

Pioneered in Israel two years ago, the rapid detoxification technique was
hailed as a 24-hour miracle cure.

Dr Jon Currie, a director of Drug and Alcohol Services for western Sydney,
said it should not be considered a cure but the start of a comprehensive
rehabilitation program that was necessary no matter what detoxification
method was used.

"Protection against relapse to opiate dependency requires using naltrexone
either orally or as an implant," he said. "The procedure, although crucial,
should be considered as only one phase of a multi-disciplinary approach...
including psycho-social rehabilitation."

The Westmead trials are an ongoing study comparing Naltrexone with other
withdrawal methods.

A similar study is under way at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where 40
addicts have been treated and researchers are hopeful of finding a further
100 addicts for the trials.