Noble Park pharmacist Thomas Chong is helping combat the suburb’s drug problem.By Rebecca Fraser
TWO Noble Park pharmacists were invited to speak to the community last night about how they are helping drug users treat their addictions.
Grahame Beecroft and Thomas Chong of the Noble Park Pharmacy in Douglas Street were to give a presentation to the Noble Park/Keysborough Community Drug Action Forum on the treatment of heroin dependence.
Mr Chong said it was important the community understood what the pharmacy could offer, and the role they played in dealing with Noble Park’s drug issues.
“The presentation will focus on the role our pharmacy is playing to deal with drug use in Noble Park.
“We run a methadone and buprenorphine program for 60 people here so we will be discussing these programs and what role the pharmacy plays in helping these people stabilise and find a suitable dosage,” he said.
Mr Chong said the program’s aim was not to cure people but to help them move on, and live their daily lives.
He said the 10yearold service had always been popular, with some prospective patients turned away at times.
“The demand has always been there but we are limited by staff and space.
“We would serve more people if we could and there is an ability to grow and the demand is there for it.
“We are at an advantage where our computer system can keep records of dispensing which is a huge time saver so we may be able to look at our numbers later,” Mr Chong said.
Topics on the agenda at the presentation included:
Do drug users and people on methadone and buprenorphine programs fit into a clear stereotype?
What are the realistic expectations of the program and what are the aims of the substitution treatment?
Mr Chong said the program aimed to reduce deaths and crime associated with drug use and improve people’s function and role in society.
Other goals were to improve the health of patients and help reduce the spread of bloodcarried transmittable diseases through the injection of drugs.
Side effects to the methadone and buprenorphine program were also due to be explained as were the differences between the two forms of pharmacotherapy.
Mr Chong said many people attended their program under court order and had to undergo regular urine tests and monitoring.
“Our program works very well and many people have successfully completed the program and have returned to a normal everyday life and regular living.
“We do not look at or treat our patients like exusers.
“We just treat them like anyone else who has come in for antibiotics or blood pressure tablets.
“That is our philosophy and it seems to be working that way,” he said.
