FAM 100735-0001 This File contains information on The Dangerous Drugs Act 1948 and specific drugs - Diamorphine THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 1. Short title. PART I. Interpretation 2. Interpretation. PART I1. Raw Opium and Coca Leaves 3. Import and export of raw Opium and coca leaves. 4. Power to requlate the production of and dealing in raw opium and coca leaves. 5. Cultivation of opium or coca leaves. PART II1. Prepared Opium 6. Export or import of prepared opium. 7. Manufacturinq. selling, using, etc.. prepared opium an offence. PART IliA. Ganja 7A. Export or import of ganja. 7B. Cultivation. selling or dealinq in or transportincl ganja. 7C. Possession of ganja_ 7D. Smoking of #ania. PART IV. Cocaine. Morphine, etc. 8. Import and export of cocaine, etc. 8A. Cultivating. selling or dealing in or transporting cocaine, etc. 8B. Possession of cocaine, etc. 9. Control of manufacture and sale of cocaine, etc. 10. Drugs to which Part IV applies. 11. Trade. etc.. in new drugs, and power to apply Part IV to certain drugs. PART V. Control of External Trade 12. Interpretation. 13. The export of dangerous drugs. 14. The import of dangerous drugs. 15. Dangerous drugs in transit. 16. Removal licences. 17. Drugs not to be tampered with. 18. Diversion ofdanqerous drugs. PART VI. General 19. Licences. 20. Exporter or agent liable for contravention regarding export. 21. Powers of inspection and seizure. 21A. Offence of using the postal services for drugs, 22. Offences and penalties. 23. Power of arrest. 24. Seizure and forfeiture of vehicles. 25. Meaning of importation and exportation under licence 26. Burden of proof. 27. Admissibility of certificate of Government Analyst. 28. Meaning of expression "conveyance" in Part VI. Schedule Involuntary Euthanasia What is happening? rAM 100735-0002 Recently the practice of involuntary euthanasia within the NHS, particularly at the expense of elderly patients, has attracted much attention from the media. The evidence, supported by the charity Age Concern and several patient pressure groups, suggests that doctors may have allowed elderly patients to die, and may even have hastened their deaths, as a means of easing the resource crisis within the NHS. Although there are situations in which it is not unreasonable for doctors to conclude that further treatment, including cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, will not be beneficial to the patient, BMA quidelines cleary state that the patient and / or their relatives must be made aware of this. Equally clearly, these guidelines are not being followed in a large number of cases. Instead, our elders are being allowed to die, often in fear and distress, within the very walls of the institutions they have trusted to help them. This injustice cannot be allowed to continue. I am campaigning to improve healthcare in this country. Many people have asked me why I talked to the media and exposed the truth. The answer is simple : I believe in doing what is morally correct, and in justice for patients and their loved ones. Many people suffer in silence, believing theirs to be an isolated case. Be assured that this is not so. I would like to help anyone who needs advice or assistance. Confidentiality is assured, although, with you permission, I would like to place some personal stories in view for others to see. That way, the conspiracy of silence that has cloaked this issue for so long can never again conceal the truth. I would like to hear your opinions, your feelings and your experiences of the NHS. Please send them to the address provided in the contact section, or email them to [email protected]. Thank you for your assistance. Dr Rita Pal How is this happening? The end of a patient’s life may be hastened in several ways ] ~ ~ii ill ~ ~ ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill ill iilil ~ii~I~iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii Medication stopped. Active management Withd raw Treatment stopped No feeding, decreased nursing support, no Withdraw nutrition intravenous access This drug is indicated in end stage cancer patients and for relief of heart attack pain. It Use of Diamorphine for "pain". Can be written as PRN is also a common drug given to the elderly as is needed) which may, in some cases, shorten life. You must check and question why diamorphine is being given and whether ...................................................................................................................................... !OL![ [elati~/e is t[u!!y "in Pain’’ .................................. Dehydration Death due to kidney failure It is very common for doctors to place elderly patients with multiple problems on many drugs. Drugs for heart failure, particularly, may not be monitored. If levels Cocktail of drugs of ions in the blood not regularly measured, Lhis can be dangerous. A common ion is potassium, the levels of which are 3.5 - 5.5 mmol/l. Levels above this, eg 7 mmol/I, may cause cardiac arrest. Concerned relatives should request to see the patient’s notes, and obtain a full and detailed explanation of them from the staff. Some of the more common terms you may find are listed below. jDNR/i~FR ....! Do notie susci;cat e / ~lot:foires usciiaiion FAM 100735-0003 If patients are not fed orally, ensure that fluids are given by drip. May be misleading because stroke patients who cannot swallow have NBM to prevent aspiration pneumonia. Also individuals due for surgery are NBM. Always ensure there is a reason for NBM. Ask nursing staff and ensure you Nil by mouth / NBIMI / NPO relatives have intarvenous access ie canneula with fluids. The patient may suffer from dehydration which may in severe cases result in kidney failure and subsequent death. Indications of dehydration include ¯ l. Sunken eyes 2. Confusion 3. When the skin is pinched it stays pinched. NAT / No Active Treatment Drugs given will be to relieve symptoms rather that ........................................................................................................................ atte.n)pt.to.?u.re ................................................................................. No IN access No intravenous drip to be used As many times as you like. For example ¯ staff can PRN (Pro-Re-Nata) - When required give diamorphine every half hour which would ultimately kill Tender loving care ¯ may include withholding food TLC and fluid ...... 434-6 - which can be obtained from bookshops such as Waterstones. Otherwise contact : The Pharmacutical Press, PO Box 151, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 8QU England. Tel ¯ 01491 829 272 email [email protected] Drug Information Services ¯ 0171 955 5000 ext 3594 /5892 Poisons Information Services ¯ 0171 635 9191 Diamorphine Diamorphine, otherwise known as Heroin, is usually used in pallative care and heart attack patients. It is injected subcutaneously (under the skin) or intravenously (through a vein). Placing it through a vein makes the drug act faster. Its effects are multiple. Used usually for pain relief, it can also depress respiration thus decreasing your drive to breathe. It also relieves anxiety eg in heart attack patients. It is a drug that is useful in heart failure enabling the load of the heart to be less thus relieving the problems of the failing heart coping with a large amount of blood. It can be written as a PRN (dose) which is as "as is needed". Being a controlled drug, it has to be signed by two people when giving it. Usual doses are 2.5-5mg. It may be placed in a syringe pump, usually in pallative care, (cancer patients) to relieve pain and distress. Diamorphine is contraindicated in people with respiratory conditions because it has been known to cause respiratory arrest. Petition for an Independent Public Inquiry The elderly have fought our wars for us, have paid their taxes, have made this country into what it is today. The NHS has been shown to treat its elderly with contempt and neglect. There has been a public outcry regarding the recent revelations of involuntary euthanasia within the NHS. We believe that the Government should institute an immediate and wide ranging public inquiry into these practices. FAM 100735-0004 We intend to present the Government with a petition that it cannot ignore. Please support this campaign by adding you name to our petition. Simply type your name and email address in the boxes below and click the Send button. Contact Do not allow this conspiracy of silence to continue! I am happy to help anyone who would like advice or assistance. Please feel free to contact me with your opinions, your feelings and your experiences of the NHS. All correspondence will be treated in confidence, although, with your permission, I would like to place some personal stories in view for others to see. Email : [email protected] NHS Exposed’s Diamorphine Series We present the NHS Exposed Diamorphine Series. Involuntary Euthanasia is more common than the medical profession would have us all believe. The cases are shut down through the police because it will be "too terrifying for the public". Why did Dr Harold Shipman remain undetected for so many years? This was due to currently unresolved flaws in the system. We do not wish to instil fear but make the public think about this issue. Most doctors in the NHS are caring and compassionate but the patient is unprotected from those who have ingrained personality deficits.