WA: AMA call for drugs liaison officer to be assigned to hospitals

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2008
WA: AMA call for drugs liaison officer to be assigned to hospitals

The AMA's calling for specialist drugs liaison officers to be assigned to hospital
emergency departments .. to cope with the growing problem of ice and speed use.

AMA president ROSANNA CAPOLINGUA says emergency department staff are increasingly being
placed in harm's way .. in dealing with methamphetamine users.

Dr CAPOLINGUA says the health system requires an overhaul to confront the problem ..

with methamphetamine users often ending up in emergency wards in an aggressive or psychotic
state.

She says users often need to be hospitalised for their own protection and the safety
of others .. with one-third requiring sedation and intensive treatment.

The AMA's also calling for a renewed .. comprehensive and sustained public education
program to combat methamphetamine use.

AAP RTV was/tm/af

KEYWORD: METH (PERTH)

2008 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.