Pubdate: Sun,  2 Mar 2003
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5
Author: Paul Heinrichs
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
http://www.mapinc.org/people/Brian+Watters

HEROIN DETOX PLAN 'RECIPE FOR OVERDOSES'

More people would die of heroin overdoses if John Howard's senior drug
policy adviser's view that drug addicts should be detained and detoxed
against their will was followed, a drugs social worker yesterday.

Les Twentyman, of the Open Family Foundation, said the proposal of Major
Brian Watters, chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs, would
have addicts resuming their habits once released and overdosing because of
reduced tolerance to drugs.

Major Watters said on Friday that families should be able to seek help for
children and relatives whose drug addictions were out of control, likening
it to a process of committing someone to a mental hospital. But Mr Twentyman
accused Major Watters of "becoming more irrelevant in this topic every time
he opens his mouth".

The proposal was also rejected by the Victorian Government, which would have
to legislate for it to take effect. "In terms of implementation, it raises
more questions than it answers, and appears unworkable," a spokesman said.
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