Pubdate: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 Source: Age, The (Australia) Copyright: 1999 David Syme & Co Ltd Contact: http://www.theage.com.au/ Author: Gay Alcorn and Nicole Brady TEEN USERS DEEP INTO DRUG TRADE The first snapshot of teenage heroin abusers in Victoria - some as young as 14 - has found that most are already dealing to support their habit and, for some of them, selling heroin is their main source of income. The Youth Substance Abuse Service report, to be released today, surveyed the first 100 young people to go through Victoria's only residential withdrawal service dedicated to young people. The report, 100% Dependent, presents a depressing portrait of the teenagers, already long-term heroin abusers, with most involved in the criminal justice system and a third having attempted suicide. More than 40 per cent were from non-English-speaking backgrounds and many of them smoked rather than injected heroin. For more than a fifth, dealing was their primary source of income. The report says even among those with more than three years heroin use, more than 70 per cent had never before been through withdrawal. ``It is no longer a question of hoping to educate young people to say no to drugs,'' the report says. ``Such an approach will not stem drug use among young Australians.'' It calls for more diversion and support programs ``if we wish to avoid having the court/prison process as the only response we can offer to young people's drug use''. The State Government-funded service, set up after a recommendation of the 1996 Penington drug report, is dedicated to 12 to 21-year-olds. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea