Pubdate: Tue, 22 Nov 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/

MENTAL ILLNESS HIGH AMONG HEROIN USERS: REPORT

A report released today into drug use in Australia has found heroin
users have a significantly higher rate of mental illness than the rest
of the community.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report found that more
than half of the participants who used heroin in the past month were
diagnosed or treated for mental illness within the past year.

It is the first time researchers have proven such a strong
link.

Report author Dr David Batts says the figure is disturbing.

"These people are needing help and possibly not getting it," he
said.

Researchers surveyed children as young as 12 and found a significant
increase in the level of drug use when teenagers turn 15.

It also found drug users suffer from much poorer health than
non-users, including higher rates of heart disease and asthma.