Pubdate: Fri, 23 Jun 2006
Source: Honolulu Advertiser (HI)
Copyright: 2006 The Honolulu Advertiser, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.
Contact:  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/195
Author: Mike Gordon
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

PRICE IS HIGH, BUT SO IS PROMISE OF NEW ICE ADDICTION THERAPY

A new O'ahu treatment center for substance abuse began promoting an 
expensive new therapy for ice addiction yesterday that some doctors 
say could be a cure for one of the state's biggest problems.

The therapy -- called the Prometa protocol -- combines nutritional 
supplements and several Food and Drug Administration-approved 
medications to reduce the physical cravings and anxiety experienced 
by recovering crystal methamphetamine addicts. It also works on 
cocaine and alcohol abuse.

But the cost is high: $10,000 to $15,000 for a five-day treatment 
program that isn't covered yet by insurance, said James Dorsey, 
managing director for Island Recovery Centers, the only Hawai'i 
organization currently licensed by its creaters, Hythiam Inc., to use 
the program.

Dorsey hopes to raise $300,000 in private donations and funnel it to 
the Ko'olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center in Kahuku as 
early as this summer. The center would have to provide matching funds, he said.

"We'd like to have this program in our community," said Dr. Miriam 
Chang, medical director for the center. "There are ice problems 
everywhere, but we have it in a big way. I have friends whose kids are on ice."

While FDA approval of the treatment system is not required, Prometa's 
creators supported several unrestricted grants and pilot programs to 
test its effectiveness.

Results of the first clinical study were announced Wednesday by 
Research Across America, which found that 97 percent of the patients 
experienced a reduction in cravings for ice and 80 percent of them 
reported reduced drug use.

Yesterday, drug court officials in Pierce County, Wash., joined 
counterparts in Gary, Ind., in adopting Prometa as an option for 
criminal drug offenders. More than 92 percent of the 40 participants 
in the Pierce County pilot program remained drug free during their 
monitoring period.

The strictest study -- a double-blind placebo study led by UCLA's 
Integrated Substance Abuse Program -- is still being conducted.

When Hythiam announced in March that Island Recovery Centers had been 
licensed to use its program -- one of 40 nationwide -- Lt. Gov. James 
R. "Duke" Aiona praised the effort. The former drug court judge 
called it "an exciting new treatment option."

But no Hawai'i Drug Court representatives were invited to a briefing 
that Island Recovery Centers gave yesterday to about 30 substance 
abuse treatment providers, interested citizens and state officials.

"Hawai'i Drug Court officials are always willing to look at new 
methods and products that may help with the clients' recovery," said 
Marsha Kitagawa, a spokeswoman for the state judiciary. "However, at 
this time, Hawai'i Drug Court officials are not considering the use 
of Prometa primarily because no one has contacted them about the new drug."

Other experts in the drug treatment community are taking a cautious approach.

"This is an opportunity to look at something new," said Keith 
Yamamoto, chief of the state Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug 
Abuse Division. "We are not endorsing anything at this point. We need 
to see what the clinical trials results look like."

Alan Johnson, chief operating officer and managing director for Hina 
Mauka, said Prometa is still "fairly experimental."

"I think all of us in the field are anxious to see medication and 
support to help reduce the craving out there," Johnson said. "But we 
are waiting for it to be embraced by the whole medical community with 
solid research behind it. And we are concerned about any long-term 
effects of the drug."

The largest treatment center in the state, Hina Mauka's nine-month 
program has an 80 percent success rate, which is far higher than the 
national rate of 50 percent to 55 percent, Johnson said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman