Pubdate: Sat, Oct 3, 1998 Source: The West Australian Contact: FAX: +61 8 94823830 Page: 4 Author: Amanda James ANTI-HEROIN DRUG HELPS CUT DEATHS Experts say cocktail of services lets addicts seek treatment HEALTH experts have hailed an anti-overdose drug as one of the main reasons for a big fall in heroin deaths in Perth. WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office executive director Terry Murphy said there had been 50 reported heroin deaths this year - 15 less than at the same time last year. St John Ambulance deputy superintendent Mike Cubbage said the drug Narcan was successful because it helped reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. It is carried in ambulances. "Narcan is injected into an overdose victim if they still have blood circulation and is effective in a couple of minutes," he said. Mr Murphy said any heroin death was unacceptable but it was encouraging to see the toll coming down. Heroin deaths had been reduced about 25 per cent because drug users, St John Ambulance, the Government and health bodies were working together. Mr Murphy said the improving figures were in contrast to the tolls in other States. The purity of heroin had not contributed to the fall in deaths because it had not changed. "It still has the same variability that carries the risk," Mr Murphy said. The number of heroin-related calls to ambulance officers was down 40 per cent in the past three months compared with the same time last year, probably because drug rehabilitation was making inroads and people were more aware of the dangers of heroin. WA Alcohol and Drug Authority executive director Carlo Calogero said the deaths increased capacity ro treat people using opiates was a big factor in the reduction in fatal heroin overdoses, "In the past there were no treatment options available, which meant there were increasing numbers of users and overdoses," he said. Programs such as a 24-hour drug ant information telephone service. merhadota and naltrexone programs, peer outreach programs, ambulance services and other drug strategy projects all contributed to cutting heroin deaths. "Engaging people in treatment is the upmost concern," he said. Mr Murphy said 1800 people were being treated with methadone to wean them off heroin, compared with 1200 last year. He said drug strategy programs taught resuscitation techniques and other safe measures in case fellow drug users overdosed. Last year there were 83 heroin deaths Perth. - --- Checked-by: Don Beck