Detox Doctor In New Clinic
Sun Herald
Sunday August 6, 2000
A SYDNEY doctor is inviting heroin-addicted youngsters onto a new private naltrexone program one month after a teenage mother died under his supervision at another centre.
The case has been taken up by political figures representing all three tiers of government. The Department of Health has also vowed to investigate after only recently submitting a report to the coroner's office about the previous tragedy.
Thi Ngoc Diem Nguyen, 19, died in Dr Harry Pope's waiting room at the Liverpool Rapid Detox Centre on July 3 after suffering three days of severe vomiting and insomnia. She failed to get formal medical help in the 72 hours leading up to her seizure and the centre has since closed.
The death is still being investigated by the coroner and sparked an ``urgent" State Government investigation into the industry.
The inquiry is still being conducted, but Dr Pope has already moved to neighbouring Fairfield, where he opened the Ware Street South Medical Centre a fortnight ago.
When contacted by The Sun-Herald, Dr Pope denied his return to business was inappropriate.
Naltrexone detoxification sells for up to $7,000 a treatment.
© 2000 Sun Herald