❓ A parliamentary question regarding funding for the Fresh Start illicit drug treatment program following recent overdose deaths. The Minister acknowledges the program's potential but cites regulatory hurdles and offers assistance with the approval process.
AnsweredQoN 202Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
FRESH START ILLICIT DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAM
I acknowledge Dr George O’Neil, who is in the public gallery today. In reflecting on the death yesterday of a 24-year-old woman who died from a drug overdose at Glendalough train station, the five deaths from overdose that occurred at the weekend and the minister’s repeated refusal to provide extra funding to organisations such as Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start private illicit drug treatment program — (1) Will the minister immediately reconsider that denial of funding in the light of these deaths? (2) The Premier says that he does not want to send the wrong message about illicit drugs. Is the government’s message that it simply does not care about treating the drug dependent? Dr G.G. JACOBS
I acknowledge Dr George O’Neil, who is in the public gallery today. In reflecting on the death yesterday of a 24-year-old woman who died from a drug overdose at Glendalough train station, the five deaths from overdose that occurred at the weekend and the minister’s repeated refusal to provide extra funding to organisations such as Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start private illicit drug treatment program — (1) Will the minister immediately reconsider that denial of funding in the light of these deaths? (2) The Premier says that he does not want to send the wrong message about illicit drugs. Is the government’s message that it simply does not care about treating the drug dependent? Dr G.G. JACOBS
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
(1) Will the minister immediately reconsider that denial of funding in the light of these deaths? (2) The Premier says that he does not want to send the wrong message about illicit drugs. Is the government’s message that it simply does not care about treating the drug dependent? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
(2) The Premier says that he does not want to send the wrong message about illicit drugs. Is the government’s message that it simply does not care about treating the drug dependent? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
(1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
(1) Will the minister immediately reconsider that denial of funding in the light of these deaths? (2) The Premier says that he does not want to send the wrong message about illicit drugs. Is the government’s message that it simply does not care about treating the drug dependent? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
(2) The Premier says that he does not want to send the wrong message about illicit drugs. Is the government’s message that it simply does not care about treating the drug dependent? Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
Dr G.G. JACOBS replied: (1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
(1)-(2) I thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for the question, for the work that he has done and for the communication that he has had with me about this issue. I too recognise Dr O’Neil in the public gallery. The unfortunate incidents that occurred last Friday night and the reported death yesterday are obviously very tragic. The death in Glendalough is yet to be confirmed and we await the outcome of the investigations, including the coroner’s investigation. That does not get away from the concern about this tragic issue in Western Australia. The search for effective treatment for heroin addiction is crucial. Dr O’Neil is a very compassionate doctor. He does almost humanitarian work in this area. He treats more than 500 patients a year who suffer from heroin addiction, as do the agencies Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services and the Drug and Alcohol Office. I have been to Dr O’Neil’s clinic and spoken to his patients. I have also spoken to George in my office and with the Premier in the Premier’s office. The naltrexone implant used by Dr George O’Neil’s Fresh Start program could end up being the gold standard for the treatment of heroin addiction. However, I would like members to understand the process. The Therapeutic Goods Administration is a national body that accredits the use of all medications in Australia. The member for Bassendean will know about that process. Without putting too much bureaucracy in front of it, it is about safety and efficacy. We have undertaken to give Dr O’Neil every encouragement throughout that process to achieve full registration by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. I have made an offer to try to get Dr O’Neil’s papers formatted and validated in order to submit them to the Therapeutic Goods Administration to get to full registration. At this stage, Dr O’Neil’s naltrexone implant is under what is called a “special access scheme”. It has not achieved full registration. I have offered to help Dr O’Neil in that area. It is crucial to search for an effective treatment for heroin addiction. The government is giving active consideration to it, including further funding options to facilitate Dr O’Neil’s work. That is on top of the offer that we have already made to Dr O’Neil to facilitate the TGA process. That is very important. On this important matter, I undertake to keep the house informed.
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