NT government blocks methadone program

DARWIN -- For three months anti-nuclear and voluntary euthanasia activist Dr Phil Nitschke has been campaigning for the introduction of a methadone program in the Territory.

The Country Liberal NT government has refused to implement 1991 recommendations for a methadone program to treat narcotic addiction. Nitschke told Green Left Weekly that the current NT poisons and Dangerous Drugs Act states that it is illegal to prescribe narcotics such as methadone to treat narcotic addiction. Every other state or territory in Australia has a methadone program.

Although highly addictive, methadone allows people who are addicted to heroin the ability to lead more stable lives. This is important, Nitschke said, if they are to make the choice to stop taking narcotics. "If you are running around trying to get $150 to $200 each day, it puts a big strain on your savings, relationships break down and jobs are lost. Methadone reduces prostitution, property crime and the risks of diseases transmitted intravenously."

Nitschke's campaign has exposed the CLP government's unpopular policies. This involved a teleconference where South Australia doctor Lynton Stevens interviewed some of Nitschke's patients and faxed them prescriptions. The NT government reacted by passing legislation prohibiting interstate prescribing. Both doctors have now been threatened with a $4000 fine or four years imprisonment for prescribing inappropriately.

Health minister Fred Finch is trying to bus heroin addicts to interstate methadone programs. However, all bus companies have refused to take part in the scheme.

Nitschke believes the CLP is scapegoating a weak and disorganised group to win votes for its "tough" stand on illegal drug use. He also criticised the ALP for their silence, saying that when the party decided there were no "votes in it", they "shut up".

Nitschke is currently seeing patients and prescribing methadone through a loophole in the law: methadone is an effective pain killer and people who are dependent on narcotics and in pain are entitled to have it prescribed.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 12th December 1995
Source: Green Left Weekly
Author: Sally Mitchell
Website: http://www.greenleft.org.au
Email: glw@greenleft.org.au