FUND O'NEIL NOW!

YOUR defence of your stance on the issue of George O'Neil's naltrexone
program deserves congratulations (21/6).

The conclusion that I draw from it is not that his clinic should be closed
down, or even slowed down, but that the residential rehabilitation centre
he is trying to set up in Northam should receive the full support of the
State Government.

No one is more acutely aware than Dr O'Neil of the twin dangers of
short-term overdose and long-term backsliding by his naltrexone patients,
the one caused by lack of close medical supervision following the implant
and the other by lack of ongoing tender loving care to heal the wounds and
build up the self-esteem. It is precisely to meet these needs that he is so
keen on the Northam centre.

Please do not wait for the State drug summit, but use your influence to
persuade Dr Gallop to start funding Northam now - not in dribs and drabs,
but generously.

The need is urgent.

C. Keele
Kiara