The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has used the controversial anti-malarial drugs mefloquine and tafenoquine for more than two decades, despite scientific evidence linking them to brain damage and poor mental health.
In spite of the drug manufacturers clear warnings of risk, many service men and women were carelessly given these drugs in poorly conducted drug trials. Many now suffer from serious, chronic illnesses affecting their nervous system and mental health.
The majority of those who have sought medical help have been diagnosed and medicated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental illnesses without having been referred to brain injury specialists.
This has led to further decline in health, disabling drug reactions, medical mistreatment, family breakdowns, homelessness and in some cases suicide.
The Quinoline Veterans and Families Association (QVFA) was established by veterans and their families to support those whose lives have been affected by the disabling side effects of these toxic drugs.
This grassroots veteran community group has been striving to raise awareness about this issue and seeking dedicated support for affected veterans and their families.
QVFA does not receive any financial assistance or funding from any government or other veterans charities.
It is now seeking donations from the community to fund world leading research into the toxic effects of these drugs, and to establish a dedicated rehabilitation program for the affected veterans and their families.
We urgently need your help before we lose more veterans to family breakdowns, homelessness and suicide.
ADSO endorses the QVFA’s campaign and encourages everyone to support it with donations to their appeal and representation of the issue to your local Federal and State MPs.
Remember, approximately 5,000 ADF personnel have been given mefloquine or tafenoquine, the majority (just under 3,000) in a series of drug trials conducted by the Army Malarial Institute (AMI) in Bougainville and East Timor from 1998 to 2002.
Hugh Rimmington from Channel 10 News has produced a very good overview introducing the issues surrounding Quinoline to the Australian public which you can view here.