CAUTION OVER 'WONDER DRUG'

Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic substance from an African plant, is being hailed
by some as the drug addict's savior of tomorrow, a cure for cocaine,
alcohol and tobacco addiction.

But locally, the claims made on behalf of the supposed wonder-substance are
being viewed sceptically.

Ibogaine is an alkaloid taken from the root of the tabernanthe iboga plant.
It is popular with the Gabonese Bwiti people of Africa, who use the drug in
initiation ceremonies.

Supporters of the drug as a detoxification tool claim it resets the brain,
users give it a mixed assessment, and local drug researchers and workers
express scepticism.

When you consider the details of the detox programs, the doubts are
understandable.

Mr Howard Lotsof, a former heroin addict, LSD user, plumber and
businessman, has been desperately trying to register ibogaine for use in
America.

While pestering American pharmaceutical companies to trial ibogaine, he is
not wasting time. He is conducting his own tests in Central America,
charging from $US8000 to $20,000 for a one-week detox program.

Ibogaine users have reported dramatic visions of flowers, God and aliens as
they fought to overcome their addiction.

It is these hallucinogenic effects, as well as a dearth of scientific
evidence in the drug's favor, that concern Melbourne drug and alcohol
researcher, Dr Alison Hitter.

Dr Bitter, the head of research at Turning Point Alcohol and Drug Centre,
says she has heard about ibogaine but knows of no Australians who have
tried it in detox.

"I think it's important to be open to new possibilities and to engage in
research on them, but I'm yet to see any scientific evidence that this
might be worthwhile investigating further," she said.

Ibogaine, said Dr Buffer, is definitely "on the fringe". The drug is not
registered for use in Australia.