NO BEDS LEFT TO HELP ADDICTS

THE Salvation Army has been helping drug addicts for more than a
century but yesterday it had no more beds left to cope with the
burgeoning drug problem. Despite record heroin hauls and government
zero-tolerance policies, each of the charity's 11 drug and alcohol
rehabilitation centres - from Townsville to Canberra - were yesterday
filled to capacity.

"We have been waiting for the numbers to fall, the Salvation Army's
Bridge Rehabilitation Program co-ordinator Gerard Byrne said.

"But the availability of drugs on the streets are causing more people
to be using and falling foul of the effects of drug use and seeking
treatment. We have a major community crisis on our hands."

Mr Byrne said addicts had reported high quality heroin available on
the streets for as little as $20 a cap - evidence the effects of this
month's Australian Federal Police record seizure at Port Macquarie had
not filtered through.

Police charged 18 men over the 420kg seizure after the three-month
operation culminated in a raid on a rusty freighter arriving from
Asia's "golden triangle" heroin production region.

Mr Byrne said the Salvation Army's 400 beds had been full for the past
four months and the waiting list, which in previous bad times would
stretch to a day or two, had stayed at two weeks.

The main intake facility - the William Booth Institute in Surry Hills
- - had treated about 1000 patients this year - a 16 per cent increase
on its service.

But Mr Byrne stressed that while the "house full" signs were up,
addicts would not be turned away. Instead, every effort would be made
by counsellors to provide help on an out-patient basis.

"We will try to get people into hostel accommodation or a detox
program," he said.

"But I think we need to expand treatment services. There needs to be a
community response to supporting people's access to treatment.

"For a long time it has been let's get tough, then let's get liberal -
there has been no consistency."

Mr Byrne said he welcomed Prime Minister John Howard's stand on drugs
but urged him to maintain focus.

"Liberalising our attitude and acceptance of the drug will only
exacerbate the situation," he said.

William Booth manager Major Graham Rose yesterday said the operation
would be reviewed in coming weeks to meet the increased demand.

The Salvation Army also issued an open invitation to any Member of
Parliament - State or federal - to visit any of its drug
rehabilitation centres to see the effects of the problem first hand.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry