ADDICTS DESPAIR AS THEY JOIN A LONG LINE AND WAIT FOR HELP

Drug users were having to wait weeks to get on to treatment programs as
Victoria's drug rehabilitation services were stretched to the limit,
workers said yesterday.

The delay meant some addicts lost motivation and the enthusiasm needed to
overcome their addictions.

But workers stressed that the system had dramatically improved during the
past five years, and believed they could cope with the increased demand for
assistance that would result from the diversion pilot scheduled to begin in
the Broadmeadows region on 1 September.

Under the scheme, first-time drug offenders caught with small quantities of
illicit drugs will be cautioned and given compulsory treatment
appointments.

The scheme will be available only to those who agree to abide by its conditions.

Inspector Steve James, from the police policy research and advice unit, is
overseeing the six-month pilot.

It is expected that many offenders would be assessed as requiring
counselling rather than detoxification treatment.

Mr Bernie Geary, of Jesuit Social Services, said most drug users had to
wait up to three weeks to get into residential detoxification programs and
waiting lists for rehabilitation programs often stretched beyond a month.
Mr Geary said it was vital that extra resources be provided to cope with
the addition of those caught in the pilot program.

Ms Donna Ribton-Turner, community services manager at the Moreland Hall
drug and alcohol service, said addicts regularly waited up to two weeks for
detoxification and twice that time for counselling.

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)