Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jun 1999
Source: Australian, The (Australia)
Copyright: News Limited 1999
Contact:  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/

OVERDOSES DOUBLE ON CITY STREET

HEROIN overdoses have nearly doubled in Brisbane during the past year,
according to Queensland Ambulance Service figures.

During 1998, Queensland ambulances responded to 233 heroin overdoses in the
Brisbane area, compared with 101 in the previous 12 months.

DrugAid and the State Opposition said despite public debate over the
increasing use and availability of heroin, little had changed in the past
year to help Queensland addicts.

Ambulance officer Ron Henderson said the figures reflected the increasing
availability and affordability of heroin on the streets of Brisbane.

"We've had a 130percent increase in 12 months ... we'd have to say the drug
is now not a drug of choice, but a drug of availability. It is so easily
available now and much cheaper than before," Mr Henderson said.

He said Brisbane accounted for 50 percent of the overdoses in Queensland.

He said Brisbane accounted for 50 percent of the overdoses in Queensland.

The figures also reflected an alarming trend towards younger drug users
across the state.

"Our youngest was a 13-year-old and there were many 14, 15 and
16-year-olds," Mr Henderson said.

"We're also seeing an alarming number of teenage girls overdosing on things
like prescription drugs at school."

He said the ambulance service was providing victims with help cards after
they had overdosed, but there was a need to educate in schools before they
became victims.

Opposition health spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said the Government had to get
serious about providing rehabilitation services, with many people waiting
months to get a bed in a centre.

"The figures highlight that there is a desperate need for access to genuine
and effective rehabilitation services," Ms Simpson said.

"We respond to disasters when they happen, it's time for serious
rehabilitation where people don't have to be on a waiting list."

DrugAid national co-ordinator Pat Assheton said the ambulance figures were
"just the tip of the iceberg" with many addicts revived at home by friends
and admitting themselves into hospital.

The Royal Brisbane Hospital has previously reported treating between 600
and 800 overdoses a year, involving amphetamines, narcotics,
over-the-counter medications, prescriptions and other substances such as
glue and solvents.

"A 100percent increase is nothing less than we expected but in real terms
we believe that there were more than 1500 overdoses in Brisbane alone last
year where ambulance services or hospitalisation were not sought," Ms
Assheton said.

She said the drug debate had not delivered any realistic or life-saving
measures.

"All we've got is naltrexone trials at the RBH for a select few, but what
else have we got? Rehabilitation beds are harder to get in to and courts
are still directing (addicts) to prison," Ms Assheton said.

Minister for Emergency Service Merri Rose said the Queensland Ambulance
Service had extended its heroin overdose programme statewide.

"We can only hope that early intervention by the QAS through its overdose
pamphlets ... and other agencies can help stem the slide into drug abuse by
people of an increasingly tender age," Ms Rose said.
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