DOCTOR ARRESTED AFTER FIVE PATIENTS DIE FROM METHADONE OVERDOSES

A FAMILY doctor has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following
concern over the deaths of five of his male patients from overdoses of the
heroin substitute methadone.

Dr John Gordon, 50, who practises in Carlisle, Cumbria, has agreed not to
return to his surgery pending further police investigations into the
deaths. The GP's arrest on Monday followed a number of deaths of men since
January last year linked to prescriptions for methadone, which is given to
registered drug addicts.

Dr Gordon, a partner in a group practice, was questioned over alleged gross
misconduct relating to the prescribing of the drug. Police, who refused to
confirm or deny the doctor's identity, said yesterday the GP had been
bailed until June pending further inquiries.

But the Medical Protection Society, offering legal protection to Dr Gordon,
issued a statement confirming that he had been interviewed by police and
was helping with their inquiries. It said: "He has co-operated fully and
will continue to do so until their inquiries are complete. There is nothing
more he can say at this stage."

Toxicology tests have been carried out and detectives are waiting for the
results which could lead to exhumations. One of the deaths believed to be
under investigation is that of Michael Kirkpatrick, 19, who died in his
bedsit last May of a methadone overdose. An inquest recorded a verdict of
accidental death.

Det Chief Insp Peter Kirkbride of Cumbria Police said: "At this stage the
concerns relate to gross negligence, not to any deliberate intent. They
relate particularly to the prescription of methadone. Because he is under
arrest we will follow our normal procedure of not naming him unless any
charges are made. Police are reviewing the deaths since Jan 1 1999 from
methadone toxicity, of which there have been five. It is expected to be a
long and drawn out inquiry."

Drug workers in Carlisle, many of whom had worked with patients of Dr
Gordon, said yesterday they were "reeling" from shock. Dr Gordon, who lives
with his wife Barbara, was not answering the door of his home in
Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria, yesterday.

The General Medical Council said it was working closely with Cumbria Police
over the investigation into the doctor, whose medical registration could
now be suspended. North Cumbria Health Authority said the GP had agreed not
to return to work pending the investigation.

A dispensing clinic where drug users are understood to receive methadone
was opened at the rear of the surgery about a year ago, according to a
local resident. Methadone is used by heroin addicts as part of a programme
to wean them off the illegal drug.

Cumbria Police said the health authority had a programme which ensured that
drug-users took methadone at the pharmacy when they picked up
prescriptions. The measure was introduced so they could not sell the drug
to other users.

The Standing Conference on Drug Abuse said the increasing number of
methadone deaths had prompted the issue of new prescription guidelines to
doctors. Roger Howard, chief executive of the conference, said there was
concern that addicts were getting supplies of the drug and selling it to
people who were not hooked and had a lower tolerance level. Addicts whose
tolerance levels had fallen while in prison had sometimes deceived doctors
about their level of dependence.

A Department of Health spokesman said that it was a police matter.