New fund to assist Naltrexone patients

21/7/00
The State Government will establish a new fund to assist in the delivery of Naltrexone treatment in Western Australia.
The Naltrexone Treatment Trust Fund will receive $1 million.
The funding will be used to pay salary and related costs for the employment of professionally-qualified staff involved in the treatment and maintenance of formerly opioid-dependent patients who receive Naltrexone treatment through community-based services, such as that of Dr George O'Neil's clinic in Subiaco.
The fund will be overseen by a management committee, including representatives of the Health Department of Western Australia, the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office and the WA Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies.
"This new initiative responds to the need to provide significant support to people, such as those at Dr O'Neil's clinic, who work so very hard to help to manage patients undergoing this form of addiction treatment," Mr Court said.
The establishment of the Naltrexone Treatment Trust Fund is in addition to the $1 million formal clinical trial of Dr O'Neil's rapid detoxification method, which is currently under way.
In this trial, patients are being monitored and compared with a separate group detoxified by a related, but different method, at the State Government's Next Step Drug and Alcohol Treatment facility.
Results from the trial are expected in approximately 12 months. Around $500,000 will specifically fund Dr O'Neil's clinical costs.
"We have had to manage a large number of patients each week, but only some of those patients are suitable to the trial,"
Dr O'Neil said.
"The new Naltrexone Treatment Trust Fund will greatly assist those of us involved in managing all of these patients after detoxification, and during their ongoing naltrexone maintenance.
"The Premier has shown leadership in saying that his Government will work constructively to address drug-related issues.
"His statements have given me the optimism that we can go forward effectively and in partnership with the State Government."
Health Minister John Day said WA was also the only State to provide free Naltrexone, through the Next Step program, to patients who could not afford it.
"After the detoxification period, addicts go through what is called a maintenance period where they require daily Naltrexone treatment, some for up to 18 months," Mr Day said.
"For people who can't afford the cost of this treatment, the Government provides them with free Naltrexone which costs $6 per day per person.
"We are currently spending around $500,000 on this program as we recognise that Naltrexone is an important treatment option that is very effective in some patients."
Media contacts:
Justine Whittome (Premier's office ) 9222 9475
Carole Cowling (Health Minister's office) 9213 6600