Earlier this month, The Greens suggested an interesting alternative to Andrew Wilke’s pokie reform. Focusing more on the medical aspect of addiction, The Greens believe that the solution to rising gambling rates lies in the hands of general practitioners. The public pondered the idea for quite some time before the federal government dismissed it.
The Greens’ plan places a greater emphasis on doctors, as they would be the ones responsible for referring problem gamblers to counselors and prescribing the drug Naltrexone. This drug is commonly used to treat alcoholics and heroin addicts by blocking the pleasure they feel whenever they imbibe. The federal government believes that the idea is unbelievable and outrageous, calling it “hare-brained”.
While the general public opposes the current proposal for gambling reform (mandatory precommitment), the politicians in power are not open to this particular alternative. The Greens, however, are still determined. They want a trial to take place in order to determine just how feasible of an idea it really is.