a legal substitute for heroin. The drug combats withdrawal symptoms and lets recovering addicts get back to normal life. Drug professionals hope to slash heroin addiction with an expanded methadone programme launched at the Turning Point Centre in St. Brendan's. However they also revealed that plans for the $1 million dedicated detox centre at the site were on hold because of lack of funding. At yesterday's official launch of the methadone clinic, which transferred from Victoria Street last month, Turning Point CEO Patrice Dill said the new service would cater for more patients. She said the new facility would let patients get vital group and individual counselling as well as daily doses of methadone which reduces heroin craving. She said: "Patients can get a variety of services. There is counselling for families and an intensive day treatment program.'' Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Donald MacKenzie said that while 80-90 percent of heroin users who gave up returned to the drug within six weeks less than five percent of those on a methadone programme did so. And he said research showed that 70 percent of those who took methadone for the optimum two or three years could then properly make the break from heroin. He said: "Methadone has emerged world-wide as an effective method of stabilising individuals in order that they can develop a drug-free lifestyle with the avoidance of risk of HIV, criminal activity and family and social disruption.

"There are those that express concern about replacing one opiate (heroin) with another (methadone). "However by removing the craving and withdrawal symptoms, methadone provides a route out of the downward spiral of continuing heroin abuse.'' He said the clinic which is currently serving 65 patients, five up on the old Hamilton site, could eventually serve up to 100. Turning Point will also try to persuade reluctant employers of the need to release employers to attend session at the clinic. Meanwhile the new detox centre has had to be delayed. Ms. Dill said: "Hopefully we can break ground this year but we have finance issues. "It will be a dedicated unit for inpatients.

Right now it's done in King Edward Memorial Hospital on medical wards wherever we can find a bed available but this is not always conducive to clients or staff.'' Hospitals Board Chairman Raymonde Dill said a design for the eight-bed centre had been shown to various contractors but none had been chosen because the finance was not in place. He said: "We had hoped to have broken ground almost consecutively with the methadone clinic but we had to find additional funding which the Government didn't have the money for in their budget. PHOTO New hope: Health Minister Nelson Bascome cuts the ribbon at the opening of Turning Point's Methadone Clinic at St. Brendan's. Partially hidden at left is Turning Point CEO Patrice Dill. To Mr. Bascome's right is Hospitals Board CEO Stephanie Reid and Hospitals Board Chairman Raymonde Dill.