I'll be caught out when an upgrade happens, won't I?
Not as long as your package version does not conflict with Debian packages i.e. create a package with the version x.ab-zy_jim such as 3.36-11_jim.
Have a look at
http://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/maint-guide/index.en.html
Cheers
Paul
Gentoo?
-jim
