HEROIN ADDICTS IN LIMBO

5000 can't get methadone: doctor

THERE are more than 5000 drug addicts in South Australia waiting to join a
methadone program, doctors estimate. Dr Rhys Henning, the Australian Medical
Association's representation on The Methadone Prescription Review Committee,
says SA's programs cannot meet increasing demand for the heroin treatment.

Only 900 people can be dealt with through the public program based at
Norwood and Elizabeth.

Another 1100 are undergoing the methadone program through a GP.

Fewer than 100 are being treated in the State's prisons.

Dr Henning, who works with drug addicts in his general practice, says the
program is of enormous benefit to the community.

"World studies show for every dollar spent on methadone treatment about $5
is saved in drug-related crime and criminal justice costs," he said.

"A New South Wales report found that crime during methadone treatment is
substantially lower than during street addiction."

Workers at the public clinics say lack of government resources and funding
are the main reasons more people can't be accommodated in the programs.

Metbodone is a synthetic drug which is used as a substitute to slowly wean
addicts off "hard" drugs such as heroin.

A successful program normally takes about 2 1/2 years.

The State Government introduced private methadone treatment in 1994 to help
alleviate the bottleneck of addicts seeking treatment at public clinics.

After a short training period, general practitioners can qualify to
prescribe methadone.

Currently only 26 doctors in the State are licensed to do so.

Dr Henning, based at McLaren Vale, has 63 methadone patients on his books.

"It is very hard to get doctors to join the program," Dr Henning said.

"Because our clientele is not exactly nice, some people consider us
second-rate doctors. They are also morally opposed to the fact that we are
treating drug addicts." He said the number of patients each doctor saw
varied and was left to the discretion of the doctor.

Some had 20 patients while others had about 90. Most had about 60. Several
months ago a doctor became the 26th to join the prescription program. Within
five weeks he was seeing 50 heroin addicts.

"Word spreads quickly when a new prescriber is available," he said.

Dr Henning said more than half of all heroin users die by the age of 40 as a
result of their drug dependency.

Checked-by: Don Beck