Downtown Community Ministry

Bulletin

16 May 2007

Support Needed After Meths Withdrawal

The deadline of June 21 is looming for the sale of methanol based methylated spirits in retail outlets but little public education has been done so far to alert users of the change.

Downtown Community Ministry is concerned about the possibility of withdrawal episodes in a number of its clients who regularly consume the poisonous liquid.

It intends to talk to all clients known to consume meths in its current state and warn them of the cut off of supply but recommends a wider awareness raising campaign be enacted.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) announced in January that the public sale of methylated spirits in its present formulation will cease on June 21.

It said only formulations of methylated spirits without methanol should be available for sale to the public after the cut off date.

DCM’s Project Margin Coordinator Di Landy says, “We’re fully supportive of the ERMA’s actions but want more effort put in now to prevent any tragic consequences down the track.”

“We’re also stoked that no longer will retail outlets be able to stock and supply this substance to known users in our communities.”

ENDS

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