DRUG CENTRES OVERWHELMED BY DEMAND

Drug treatment centres in NSW are overwhelmed with addicts seeking
rehabilitation but only 28 per cent of people inquiring about admission are
able to gain it, according to the findings of a survey obtained by the
Herald.

The survey of the major non-government drug treatment centres found that
11,680 people will seek admission to drug and alcohol clinics this year. Of
these, 3,392 will be admitted to treatment, while 4,796 people who need
treatment will be turned away, mainly because of a severe shortage of
places. The balance of cases are not considered serious enough to warrant
admission for treatment.

Mr Peter Connie, head of the Network of Alcohol and Drug Agencies, the
umbrella group which conducted the survey, said the State Government must
double the available services if it was serious about tackling the
burgeoning drug problem.

Mr Connie said the capacity of the residential drug treatment sector -
mainly clinics offering long-term rehabilitation - had not changed since
1996.

"Just 28 per cent of people who inquire about a residential treatment
service get one, down from 32 per cent in the 1996 survey," he said.

More than 60 per cent of refusals came because there was no treatment place
available, according to the survey, conducted between May and July this
year.

Mr Connie said the State Government's recent move to set up drug courts in
NSW would only make the critical lack of capacity worse.

Under the proposal, announced by the Government last month, drug addicts who
plead guilty to non-violent offences such as theft or forgery will be able
to choose a rehabilitation program instead of prison.

"This will inevitably place increased pressure on both residential treatment
and counselling services," the survey says.

The Government would need to double the funding to drug rehabilitation and
treatment to cope with current demand and "make a dent" in the number of
drug overdose victims and drug-related crime, Mr Connie said.

To meet demand, NSW would need 3,064 extra places on top of the 2,321 places
available.

Non-government agencies, which are part-funded by the State Government,
provide the bulk of intensive, residential alcohol and drug services in the
State.

The Government directly provides, through NSW Health, most of the out-client
services, such as methadone programs for injecting drug users.

"Both sectors have suffered budget constrictions, and strong anecdotal
evidence indicates difficulties exist for clients in accessing both
drug-free and drug-substitution programs," the survey says.

NSW Health last night said there was always a need to increase access to
drug and alcohol treatment services.

"NSW Health has a strong commitment to providing improved access to
services. NSW Health will spend in excess of $61.5 million this year on drug
and alcohol services," it said in a statement to the Herald.

Out of the $61.5 million, $9 million is spent providing methadone treatment
to 12,000 clients and $6 million is spent on school and community drug
education and prevention programs.

New initiatives include a 20-bed detoxification unit being constructed at
Fairfield Hospital and a drug and alcohol centre at Cabramatta which will
provide crisis intervention, medical treatment and counselling.

The statement said funding for drug courts would include extra resources for
more treatment places, although details have not been finalised.

Checked-by: Don Beck