HEROIN USERS ARE YOUNGER: SURVEY

Heroin use is increasing in Melbourne, with a new study showing an alarming
trend for users to be younger and female.

The Victorian Drug Trends 1997 report, the most comprehensive assessment of
illicit drug use in the state, reveals that heroin may no longer be regarded
as a ``hard drug'' by the drug community.

It shows that addicts are using more potent cocktails of drugs, including
anti-depressants. .

The report was compiled for the federal Department of Health and Family
Services from a survey of 254 injecting drug users in May and July 1997 and
from interviews with police, ambulance and social workers. The researchers
were Dr Greg Rumbold and Mr Craig Fry, of the Turning Point centre in Fitzroy.

Dr Rumbold has called for more investigation of several trends, including
the increase in heroin use, the increase in younger and female users and
multiple drug use.

Tobacco, cannabis and heroin were the most common combinations, with a
significant increase in the use of anti-depressants and benzodiazepines
(tranquillisers such as Valium and Rhohypnol).

The report shows that drug users are increasingly going straight to heroin
rather than injecting less dangerous amphetamines first, increasing the risk
of fatal overdose.

Dr Rumbold said he was concerned about the apparent softening in attitudes
towards heroin.

``In the past, drug users would say that they and their friends wouldn't use
heroin _ heroin was for losers _ but now that's changed,'' he said.

He speculated that this could partly be explained because heroin had become
more easily available and cheaper. Most respondents said the price was
stable (58 per cent), while a third said it had dropped as purity had increased.

Just under two-thirds (62per cent) reported involvement in crime in the
previous month and, despite most believing there had been more police
activity at the time of the survey, most (65per cent) said this did not make
it harder to get drugs.

The survey showed that 56per cent of respondents reported that they had
overdosed at least once and three-quarters had witnessed an overdose.

Police, ambulance workers and youth and social workers reported an expansion
of the street scene in heroin and more teenage and female users.

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett