MAN ON A MISSION SAYS NEW DRUG CAN DEFEAT ADDICTIONS

Percy Menzies came to America 25 years ago to save a life. Doctors in
India told him and his wife that their infant son, Patrick, would die
within months from a genetic brain disorder. The couple were urged to
let their child go without a fight.

"That was unacceptable," Menzies said.

The Menzies decided to immigrate to the United States. They found help
and compassionate doctors here. Patrick is now 27 years old. Since
leaving India, the Menzieses have adopted three more sick or abandoned
children from their country.

Menzies contacted me about a month ago. He read my column about
smoking and wanted to talk about addictions. He's promoting a product
that he says helps people successfully kick substance abuse. The
product is called Naltrexone. As Menzies explains it, the drug
prevents addicts from getting a buzz from substances.

Naltrexone, which has won FDA approval for treatment of drug and
alcohol abuse, maybe should be the new wave of treatment. But it's not
- - at least not yet. The drug doesn't rely on what Menzies describes as
the "Coke and a smile" approach. "One of the major problems we face in
the field of treatment is the over-reliance on addiction substitution,
substituting one addiction for a lesser one" - for instance, having
patients use methadone, a synthetic opiate that is only somewhat less
addictive than heroin.

Menzies serves as president of the St. Louis-based Assisted Recovery
Centers of America (ARCA), a treatment center for alcohol and drug-use
disorders. ARCA combines medications with behavioral modification
programs for addicts. Naltrexone is the center's product of choice for
treating addictions. Still, it's not an easy fix. Patients must be
monitored consistently to get the best results. I still don't
understand the relationship between smoking and Naltrexone, but I was
intrigued with Menzies' passion about the drug's potential. I also
noticed a pattern - the guy wants to help people. He and his wife have
adopted and raised children from India. The couple now dedicate a
significant portion of their time helping other families adopt
children from Third World countries. Menzies, 55, is retired, yet he
spends his time telling people about a "wonder drug" for the treatment
of substance abuse.

Menzies seemed surprised when asked where his motivation comes from.
"It's because of my Jesuit training in India," he replied somewhat
shyly.

"The priests are most responsible for what I am today. We worked in
leprosy hospitals and slums. What good is a $90 bottle of wine and
expensive things? What's most rewarding is to see people's lives change."

Julie McCabe is one of those whose life has been changed. She's been
clean for eight months after being addicted for 15 years. It started
with prescription pills then grew to a heroin addiction. She used
methadone for nine years to help kick the heroin habit. But methadone
is also addictive. For the last eight months, she says, she has been
able to get off that drug by using Naltrexone. Now, for the first time
in nine years, she has a job. McCabe works as a receptionist at ARCA.
She spends her days helping other addicts.

"I relate to everyone of our clients, especially those with opiate
troubles," said Julie. "It's good for me. I hope it's good for them to
know that someone here has been through what they're going through."

Mike, 40, may be going to jail in a couple of days. He's been stopped
one too many times for DWIs. For the last few months, he's had an
electronic band attached to his ankle. Every night he connects to a
telephone modem and sends data to ARCA detailing what substances have
entered his body. Mike, who has been drinking steadily for 23 years,
has also benefited from Menzies' program. He's been sober for 51 days
and counting. He's hoping the judge will cut him some slack based on
his progress.

Menzies is proud of Mike's and Julie's recovery and that of countless
others who have benefited from ARCA's program. He's equally excited
about the potential benefit of Naltrexone once it's more widely accepted.

"This is my life's calling," Menzies said. "When I die, I want the
word 'Naltrexone' on my tombstone. I want it to say that I did
something to help."