You can be recorded as a Drug Dependent Person in two ways.
A medical practitioner is required to notify the Department of Health if they become aware or suspect that you are dependent on drugs.
To receive treatment for drug dependence under the Community Program for Opioid Pharmacotherapy (CPOP) you need to sign a statement. This statement acknowledges you are aware you will be recorded as a Drug Dependent Person.
How will I be affected by having my name recorded?
Being recorded as a Drug Dependent Person relates to your medical treatment only.
If you require a prescription for a Schedule 8 medicine (strong pain medicine, stimulant or medicinal cannabis) your doctor is required to make an application to the Department of Health before prescribing for you.
Being on the record does not stop a health professional administering Schedule 8 medicines to you in an emergency (such as in hospital).
Your information is only provided to health professionals who are involved in your treatment.
Information on the record is not available to your employer, police or other agencies.
How can I get my name off the record?
Your details will be automatically removed from the record provided there has been no direct or indirect contact with the Department of Health relating to your use of a drug of addiction for at least 5 years since the initial report.
‘Contact’ includes having been prescribed S8 medicines, CPOP dosing and other enquiries relating to access to drugs of dependence.
Your doctor can apply, on your behalf, to have your name removed from the record, provided you have neither used any illicit drugs nor misused any prescribed S8 medicines for at least two years. You will be required to have certain medical tests as part of this process. The doctor must have been treating you for at least two years. Your doctor can call the Prescriber Information Service at the Department for guidance about this process.
You can apply to have the record about yourself amended or removed. You will need to provide evidence to support your request. If the reason you want the record about you removed is because you have been drug free for at least two years, it is recommended you ask your doctor to apply on your behalf (see above). Your request needs to be made in writing and mailed to:
The Chief Executive Officer
Medicines and Poisons Regulation Branch
Department of Health
PO Box 8172
Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Your request must be accompanied by certified copies of documents supporting your identity, which include photographic identification and your address. For details see Evidence of Identity Requirements (PDF 232KB).
Scanned copies and photocopies of certified documents are not acceptable. This means applications cannot be emailed.
Please contact the Department of Health on 9222 6883 for further advice.