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.

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Checked-by: Don Beck