Pubdate: Sat, 28 Apr 2001
Source: Courier-Mail, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 News Limited
Contact:  http://www.thecouriermail.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/98
Author: Hedley Thomas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

DRUG ADDICT DEATHS DULL WONDER DRUG

Heroin addicts in Queensland may be dying in greater numbers due to 
reliance on a "wonder cure" being aggressively marketed by an evangelical 
Brisbane doctor.

A Courier-Mail investigation has identified grave concerns among senior 
doctors, carers and counsellors over the outcomes of an intense promotion 
of naltrexone to drug addicts.

Health Minister Wendy Edmond and Lord Mayor Jim Soorley also are concerned.

The most outspoken advocate of naltrexone in Australia is Dr Stuart Reece, 
whose Highgate Hill medical centre has become a place of hope for heroin 
addicts and their parents since July 1998.

Figures reveal the death rate from opiate overdose in Queensland was 
averaging 38 deaths annually in the five years to 1998, yet soared to 70 in 
1999.

Ambulance officers also have attended a dramatically higher number of drug 
overdoses, with the figures rising in the greater Brisbane area from 212 
callouts in 1997 to 488 in 1999.

Investigations have highlighted the unregulated and increasing use of a 
Perth-made naltrexone implant which has not been validated for use in 
humans and has not undergone clinical trials nor had ethical approval.

"The rapid increase in deaths parallels the use of naltrexone. At this 
stage we have no proof of a link, but it does concern me," Ms Edmond said.

Naltrexone is a prescription drug which blocks the effects of heroin when 
addicts shoot up, but leaves them more vulnerable to overdose and death if 
they relapse.

Dr Reece is a Christian fundamentalist who has won wide acclaim among 
addicts and parents for his care and devotion to their troubles, but many 
of his peers have major reservations about his work.

Dr Reece has treated almost 850 patients with naltrexone since 1998 and 
knows of 24 deaths among them.

"It may be so that that linkage is correct and I agree it should be 
explored," he said.

"About a year after we began there was a cluster of deaths. I think that's 
because addicts don't believe what we tell them that it can be dangerous 
and they find out for themselves. The kids are dying anyway and anyone who 
tries to help will have deaths."

Cr Soorley, once a supporter of Dr Reece, has called for an exhaustive 
inquiry into the outcomes for his patients.

"It is now time Queensland Health, the State Government and medical and 
community experts involved with drug and harm minimisation treatment review 
Dr Reece's work," he said. "If his treatment is proven to be successful it 
should be duplicated. If not it should be reviewed."

Queensland Alcohol and Drug Foundation chief Bob Aldred said doctors 
inserting implants should be immediately prevented from doing so pending 
rigorous trials.

"The research findings of high death rates, suicides and overdoses amongst 
those who have been treated with naltrexone have been ignored for too 
long," he said.

Professor John Saunders said he was "very concerned about the unfettered 
enthusiasm that some of my colleagues have shown for naltrexone".
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager