TEEN USERS DEEP INTO DRUG TRADE

The first snapshot of teenage heroin abusers in Victoria - some as
young as 14 - has found that most are already dealing to support their
habit and, for some of them, selling heroin is their main source of
income.

The Youth Substance Abuse Service report, to be released today,
surveyed the first 100 young people to go through Victoria's only
residential withdrawal service dedicated to young people.

The report, 100% Dependent, presents a depressing portrait of the
teenagers, already long-term heroin abusers, with most involved in the
criminal justice system and a third having attempted suicide. More
than 40 per cent were from non-English-speaking backgrounds and many
of them smoked rather than injected heroin.

For more than a fifth, dealing was their primary source of
income.

The report says even among those with more than three years heroin
use, more than 70 per cent had never before been through withdrawal.
``It is no longer a question of hoping to educate young people to say
no to drugs,'' the report says. ``Such an approach will not stem drug
use among young Australians.''

It calls for more diversion and support programs ``if we wish to avoid
having the court/prison process as the only response we can offer to
young people's drug use''.

The State Government-funded service, set up after a recommendation of
the 1996 Penington drug report, is dedicated to 12 to
21-year-olds.