Hundreds of doctors in drug abuse probe

HUNDREDS of doctors are being investigated for drug abuse brought on by stress and long working hours.

New figures from the General Medical Council reveal around 300 doctors in Britain are receiving treatment for an addiction to drugs and alcohol and related medical conditions. But GMC spokesman David Morris-Johnson said there was significant underreporting of the problem.

He said: "We only hear about a small proportion of doctors who need some help for drug taking.

The ones that come to us for help are probably the minority because they know they can be charged with drug taking or struck off." He added: "At the moment there are 300 doctors under supervision or suspended from the medical register. This is quite likely just the tip of the iceberg and the numbers are increasing. We do not know what the true scale of the problem is. At the moment, there is no such thing as occupational testing in the NHS randomly for drug use."

Two thirds of all cases referred to the GMC involve drug or alcohol abuse and it is estimated one in 15 doctors in the UK may suffer from some addiction during their career. The British Medical Association has repeatedly expressed its concern at the rising number of doctors falling victim to drugs.

Two years ago it demanded that doctors receive special help from occupational therapists in the NHS - but this has not become a reality.

A report on drug misuse in January 1998 acknowledged that doctors were given little help from the NHS to stop their addiction before it became serious. A BMA spokesman said the NHS had failed to look after its doctors, adding there was nowhere for GPs to get help.

The GMC wants legislation introduced to ensure doctors facing criminal charges are suspended from practice immediately.

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