ILLAWARRA A HOTSPOT FOR HEROIN DEATHS

Forty-three people have died of heroin overdoses in the Illawarra in
the past four years, with most users travelling to Sydney for supplies.

According to recent research, one in five NSW heroin deaths now occurs
in country areas outside Sydney.

National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) senior lecturer Dr
Shane Darke said although Sydney remained the main disbibution centre
for heroin, a new analysis of county drug facilities shattered the
view that "heroin is a Sydney problem".

Rural hotspots for heroin deaths, according to Dr Darke, included the
Illawarra with 43, the North Coast with 28, the Hunter with 33,
Lismore with eight and Byron Bay with five.

He said the lllawan's high rate could be attributed to the ease with
which users could catch a train to Cabramatta.

NDARC information manager Paul Dillon said yesterday the typical
victim of a heroin overdose was a male in his 30s with 10 to 15 years
of drug usage.

"We believe that there are a lot of users in Wollongong but don't
believe it is a major supply area," he said.

"Our hunch is that they find it cheaper and quicker to travel to
Cabramatta."

Mr Dillon said he had never heard of any major heroin supplies coming
through the port of Port Kembla.

The Illawarra Area Health Service says the issue is a national
one.

An IAHS spokesperson said drug. alcohol and HIV prevention staff
believed Wollongong's proximity to Sydney made Sydney heroin more
accessible than for other non-metropolitan regions.