SHAKE-UP FOR DRUG PROGRAM

Canberra's methadone clinics will be privatised - with the drug being
made available to heroin addicts only through pharmacies - if the ACT
Government accepts the recommendations of a major review of its Drug
and Alcohol Program due this week.

The privatisation of the ACT's methadone program would mean addicts
being treated at the clinics would be charged at least double what
they now pay - up from $15 a week to $30.

The outsourcing of services provided by the Woden and Civic methadone
clinics is just one of a range of recommendations for an overhaul of
all government alcohol and drug services contained in a review by the
Sydney-based consultancy firm, KPMG.

The report, which recommends a new approach to the treatment of
addicts and alcoholics and a restructuring of staff within the Alcohol
and Drug Program, is due to be handed to Health Minister Michael Moore
on Friday.

The timing of the report raises questions about last week's
announcement by Chief Minister, Kate Carnell, of a $50,000, 50-place
expansion of the existing methadone program.

Mrs Carnell's sudden announcement is understood to have taken senior
management within the Alcohol and Drug Program by surprise, resulting
in considerable pressure on services at the methadone clinics.

Commissioned late last year, the announcement of the Alcohol and Drug
Program review, which has cost in the order of $100,000, followed a
spill of all 37.5 full-time equivalent jobs held by the 48 people
employed in the service.

The privatisation of the methadone clinics would mean as many as 15
nurses could lose their jobs. Employees on the program believe other
jobs will also be lost despite assurances from senior management that
the present number of positions will be retained.

There are also concerns about the introduction of a new approach to
the treatment of drug and alcohol problems with employees fearful that
changes are being prompted more by a desire to save money than by
health considerations.

At present, the approach to the treatment of drug addiction within the
Alcohol and Drug Program focuses on prevention through health
promotion, early intervention and treatment.

Under the new model being recommended by KPMG, the approach would
involve assessment and limited intervention with questions raised
about the role of existing health promotion programs including, for
example, the 24-hour telephone help line service.

The introduction of user-pays policy at the methadone clinics has
already created problems for the Government. Last month for the first
time, addicts who had methadone administered at the clinic were asked
to pay the $15 fee resulting in nurses being required to handle a cash
register placed near the dosing area.

Complaints by the nurses that the situation created a serious
occupational health and safety issue were ignored until the Australian
Nurses Federation notified the Industrial Relations Commission.

A fortnight ago, the commission handed down a decision in favour of
the nurses and management was forced to ensure cash registers were
moved.