HEROIN USERS TURNING TO HOME CURES

Home detoxification for young heroin users has beat the addiction of nearly
one in four addicts, a new Melbourne study of chronic drug use claims.

The program, run by the welfare group Open Family Australia, led to high
levels of family reunion and social integration and was associated with
substantially reduced crime.

A yet-to-be published analysis found 22per cent of young users were off
heroin 90 days after beginning the trial. Open Family believes the success
rates are higher than for inpatient detoxification.

Seventy-four young people, aged 14 to 21, took part in the scheme. Most
were aged 16 to 19.

An Open Family outreach worker, Mr Richard Tregear, said home
detoxification was an ideal way to beat drugs for young people who did not
feel comfortable in an institution and who had strong family support.

He described the results of the program as very rewarding. Before
commencing detox, many of the young people reported a criminal history,
poor health and said that they felt driven by their drug use.

The intensive program runs for seven to 10 days and relies on the
24-hour-a-day support of a friend, partner or close relative. The young
person withdraws from heroin at home, relying on prescription medicines to
address back and leg pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and sleep and mood problems.

Consultant GPs and pharmacists are closely involved in the scheme.

Mr Tregear said he was stunned by the growing number of young drug users
seeking home detoxification. Five years ago the welfare organisation rarely
had requests for it, but now they had about five a month, he said.

Mr Tregear also called for more residential detoxification beds for young
drug users. ``If you look at all the hullabaloo about young people and
heroin in Victoria - there is one residential unit for young people,
specifically young people under 21, in the state. And there are six beds.
It's pathetic,'' he said.

A 16-year-old youth who began the home detox program two days ago said he
had first used heroin when aged 14.

Asked why he wanted to be free of the drug, he said: ``To fix up my life,
mate. I was not born a user.''