Pubdate: Mon, 25 Jan 1999
Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Copyright: News Limited 1999
Page: 12
Contact:  http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/
Author: Harold Allen

TREAT THE SICK FIRST

THE shooting galleries have been scrapped. hoorah! It's inconceivable
money could be spent on self-indulged, self-addicted people.

I suffer from Parkinson's disease. The drug I take to control tremors
produces horrendous side-effects including hallucinations.

A new drug called Tolcapone, developed, trialed and proven successful,
eliminates side-effects, giving a better quality of life. The cost for
this drug is $360 a month, virtually impossible for a pensioner to
afford.

The Government refuses to place Tolcapone on the free list and yet
contemplates shooting galleries with free needles and medical staff.

Surely sufferers of disease should be entitled to treatments before
the self-addicted.

HAROLD ALLEN
Tuncurry
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