DOUBT OVER DETOX DRUG

SCIENTISTS have thrown doubt on a drug commonly used to detoxify heroin users.

The drug, clonidine, is used by most hospitals and clinics and is
prescribed in large doses for the controversial rapid detoxification treatment.

But University of Newcastle researchers Loris Chahl and Sebastian
Jungnickel have found that while clonidine stops the head and body shakes
common in heroin withdrawal, the brain's stress response increased.

There was ``strong evidence of psychotic and emotional stress'', Associate
Professor Chahl said.