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Doctors quizzed on illicit drug use
From: Sunday Mail (SA)
By Chris Pippos
August 21, 2005
SOUTH Australia's 6500 registered doctors will be asked whether they take illicit drugs, as part of a wide-ranging survey on substance abuse.
The survey was proposed by Dr David Caldicott, a Royal Adelaide Hospital research fellow, after a coronial inquest into the death of Ruth Sorensen.
She died in 2002 after being treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital by Dr Stuart Mauro, who had a cannabis habit.
The survey will ask about the extent of recreational drug use and alcohol consumption.
It coincides with No Pokies MLC Nick Xenophon's planned Bill to conduct random drug tests of doctors, to be introduced into Parliament next month.
Dr Caldicott said a survey was the best way to determine whether a broader drug problem existed within the medical community.
Australian Medical Association SA president Dr Chris Cain said he supported the survey in principle.
"We don't have a problem with David Caldicott and his group formatting a survey and being involved in it but we'd want it to be in conjunction with the Medical Board or the Department of Health in order for it to have any credibility," he said.
Dr Cain said he believed substance abuse levels among doctors were the same as the rest of the population.
He did not believe the increasing stress of the job led to substance abuse by doctors.
Dr Cain expected about half of the state's doctors would agree to take part in the non-compulsory survey.
Medical Board registrar Joe Hooper said "five or 10" doctors had been subject to inquiries in the past year following concerns expressed by their colleagues or patients.
From News.com.au/Sunday Mail