Page 1398 - Week 05 - Thursday, 13 May 1993
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program would operate in various community settings we are able to reassess these restrictions. The Government is seeking to expand the methadone program in a cost-efficient and user-friendly manner. In doing so, we have had to review the current restrictions on the supply and administration of methadone. This review has taken into account that many methadone users move into stable lifestyles, and some have moved into employment. In order to support this lifestyle stability we need to make sure that methadone is provided safely, yet efficiently, to these people.
The expansion of the program is not without cost. In part, the present Bill seeks to make the expansion more cost efficient. The Bill before the Assembly seeks to remove some of the more restrictive barriers to the operation of the expanded program in terms of how methadone is provided and who can provide it. It also seeks to set up administration protocols and recording requirements which reflect the responsibility of the professional groups participating in the program.
In detail, this Bill gives effect to the supply and administration of methadone from community health centres and pharmacies. The definition of "methadone program treatment centre" is to be revised. The new definition takes into account that treatment other than the administration of methadone may be provided by a treatment centre. I support the concept that the provision of methadone is but one aspect of a person's treatment. The definition of a treatment centre should reflect that. At present in government treatment centres a qualified nurse may supply methadone on prescription to clients only under the direct supervision of a medical practitioner or a pharmacist. The Bill will enable nurses at such government facilities to perform this function unsupervised. The Bill also allows for more efficient recording of the administration of methadone in government facilities.
The expansion of the program into community pharmacies has also required a reconsideration of supply and administration procedures for these settings. People receiving methadone from pharmacies will have undergone a stabilisation program through public methadone clinics. With the assistance of the Pharmaceutical Society in the Territory, training has also been provided for approved pharmacists. In recognition of pharmacists' wide experience on drug issues and specialised training undergone about methadone issues, the Bill will exempt approved pharmacies from requirements relating to the witnessing and countersigning of the administration of methadone.
Madam Speaker, in relation to the provision of methadone from the private sector, there were a few machinery matters that had to be tidied up there as well. I believe that the expansion of the methadone program through a network of public clinics to provide intensive support and a blend of community public clinics and pharmacies will reduce the grave economic, social and human consequences of illicit drug use. Madam Speaker, I present the explanatory memorandum for the Bill.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Carnell) adjourned.
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