Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Dear Reader,
It is not often that our field receives recognition from the government so it was a pleasure to attend the investiture of Dr Stella Dalton as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia. This was undertaken by State Governor Professor Marie Bashir at Government House, Sydney on 21st September 2007.
Along with others who were commended for their bravery, philanthropy, public service or contributions to dentistry, medicine, Egyptology and other disciplines, Dr Dalton was recognised for her pioneering work in treating addictions using methadone when this was still in its infancy in 1969. As a psychiatrist, she recognised that addicts were not morally bereft but that some of them may progress well with prescribed doses of a safe, long acting opioid given under supervision with psychosocial supports.
Research in the meantime has proven her to be completely correct and now this treatment is being introduced into every corner of the globe to stem some of the most serious harms from drug addiction, most notably HIV/AIDS.
The ceremony was delightful and I just regret that I was not able to meet more of the distinguished Australians present. After the ceremony drinks and canapés were served in the beautiful gardens above the Sydney Opera House while a naval band played on. I met Professor Naguib Kanawati who had been honoured for his years of service to the field of Egyptology.
I join in others by saluting all these great Australians, including Dr Stella Dalton OA.
Andrew Byrne ..
