'SPEED' FUELS USE OF DRUG CLINICS

Escalating use of methamphetamine - commonly called speed - is fuelling
demand for alcohol and drug addiction services at the nation's six Hanmer
Clinics.

A total of 738 people used its outpatient services in the first six months
this year, more than double the 334 outpatients in the same period last year.

Hanmer Clinics chairman John Beattie said a significant increase in
methamphetamine problems was partly behind the 121 per cent rise.

"One in five calls to our Auckland clinic mentioned methamphetamine as a
drug of choice. This compares with only 4 per cent of calls in the same
period last year," he said.

Two senior clinicians had gone to the United States to seek advice on
treating methamphetamine addiction.

While the big drugs of choice remained alcohol and marijuana, the increase
in methamphetamine use meant treatment strategies were having to be devised
for it.

The number of Maori patients had increased 56 per cent on the previous
half-year, and now made up one-fifth of all patients. The number of youths
had risen 16 per cent, and they now represented 11 per cent of patient numbers.

The network had recently opened a new clinic in Hamilton, and launched a
women's programme in Auckland.

The privately run Hanmer Clinics offer outpatient services for alcoholics
and drug addicts in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, and
Christchurch, and provide residential beds at Hanmer Springs.

The residential services were being wound down after it lost Government
funding, Mr Beattie said.