Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in Asia
Treatment and Rehabilitation relating to Drug Abuse in the Pacific Region

TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION

AUSTRALIA
In the first five year cycle of the Australian National Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NCADA), about $124 million were spent to expand or develop new residential and non-residential treatment services, training and community based projects. Methadone were expanded from 2,203 programmes in 1985 to 9,694 in 1991, in order to reduce illegal drug abuse among patients; to reduce death and other cost consequences associated with opioid abuse (Department of Health 1992).
            Other drug treatment services were expanded considerably since 1985. In 1990, a rare, one day national survey of clients of drug treatment services was conducted in order to gain an insight as to the typical workload and clients characteristics. The findings indi­cate that unemployed males in their mid-thirties who have alcohol problems were most common. Ninety per cent of the clients were drug abusers while ten per cent were significant others related to abusers. Eighty three per cent were Australian born including 12 per cent Aborigines or Torres Strait Islanders; about 16 per cent were not born in Australia but half of these were of English speaking countries. The principal drug problems listed in table 3 are alcohol (55 per cent), opiates (27 per cent), tobacco 8 per cent and opiates/multiple drug (7 per cent) (De­partment of Health 1992).

Table 3            Principal drug problems (a) by client status
.................................................................................................................
                                    Drug problems nominated by agencies (a)
.................................................................................................................
                                            Primary clients                     Secondary clients
Drug                           Number      Per cent                Number       Per cent

Alcohol                           3,080            55.2                       431            73.5
Opiates                           1,501            26.9                        46             7.8
Tobacco                            441             7.9                           1             0.2
Opiate/Multiple drug          378             6.8                        10             1.7
Cannabis                           228             4.1                        23             3.9
Amphetamines                   217             3.9                           5             0.9
Benzodiazepines                204             3.7                           7             1.2
Multiple drug
  (excluding opiates)           136             2.4                        14             2.4
Tranquilizers                       60             1.1                           3             0.5
Barbiturates                         40             0.7                           1             0.2
Solvents                               31             0.6                        35             6.0
Methylated spirits                 27             0.5                           0             0.0
Cocaine                               25             0.4                           1             0.2
Hallucinogens                       16             0.3                           2             0.3
Other drug                           14             0.3                           3             0.5
.................................................................................................................

(a)        Agencies sometimes nominated more than one principal drug problem for each client.
Sources: Department of Health, Housing and Community Services, Clients of Treatment Service Agencies, March 1990 Census Findings.

FIJI
Drug addicts are reported to be treated in a psychiatric hospital. No information regarding the type of treatment given is reported. Treatment and rehabilitation is reported provided to drug abusers in prisons (CMO 1991).

FRENCH POLYNESIA
In 1990, a total of 90 persons were undergoing treatment for drug abuse (of which 63 for the first time). Cannabis abusers make up the majority of those in treatment (75), followed by psychotropic substances (10) and cocaine type (5) drug abusers. The estimated relapse rate for cannabis abusers one year after treatment is 50 per cent. In 1990, no social reintegration programmes were reported in operation (U.N. 1990).

NAURU
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

NEW CALEDONIA
The Centre Hospitalier Spיcialisי Albert Bousquet in Nouville provides treatment for drug addicts. In 1988, a total of 11 drug addicts (including 2 for the first time) were undergoing treatment (U.N. 1988).

NEW ZEALAND
In 1985, 1,110 and in 1986, 1,292 abusers were admitted in the treatment centres (U.N. 1985, 1986). New Zealand offers methadone treatment which is regarded as one useful and effective form of treatment for drug dependency and reduction of IV drug abuse (Methadone 1992). Over 100 programmes by the government or non-governmental agencies counsel and rehabilitate about 13,000 abusers each year (U.N. 1989).

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Treatment of drug addicts is reported carried out in the psychiatric clinic (DETPR 1993). Treatment programmes reported operating include drug free counselling, outreach programmes, self help groups and support to families of drug addicts. No treatment or rehabilitation programmes are reported available to prison inmates (U.N. 1992).

SOLOMON ISLANDS
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

TONGA
No information reported by 31st December 1993.

WESTERN SAMOA
During 1990, 1991 and 1992, 18, 23 and 32 drug abusers respectively were treated in the Mental Health Unit in Western Samoa (Samoa 1993).