1076 Notices of Non-Consent to fluoridation

Another 617 signed and witnessed "Notice of Non-Consent to treatment (where the treatment is adding fluoride to my drinking water)" were delivered to our local water authority, Coliban Water on June 30.

(See other post "Fluoridation due to begin June 30" for full text of the Notice of Non-Consent)

This is a total of 1,076 collected in only ten days, from an adult population of 12,647.

Collectors (standing near the local supermarket for part of each day) say people would have kept signing at a rate of 100 a day. But we only had 10 days notice of fluoridation, and wanted the Notices collected before it began.

We call fluoridation "treatment for dental decay" and "treatment for dental disease" as it's described on some dental and government websites.

The Secretary of the Department of Human Services Victoria who authorises fluoridation and to whom the Notice is directed, has replied to our Notice of Non-Consent with a page of insensitive government propoganda telling us how great fluoridation is. Her letter ends with –

"Water fluoridation is not a medical procedure but an important and successful public health measure..."

Certified copies of the 1076 signed and witnessed Notices of Non-Consent to treatment will be kept safe indefinitely so any individual or group of individuals can use them in the future.

DMS

Castlemaine Mail Newspaper, Editorial, June 27 2008

Praise be the Gadflies – Andrew McKenna

In the original “democracy”, Athens, Plato referred to the philosopher Socrates as a “gadfly” to the state. As the gadfly stings the horse into action, so Socrates stung Athens.

He aggravated the establishment with his notions of justice and the pursuit of what he thought was right. He was an important social and moral critic of Athens and his faithfulness to truth came into conflict with his society.

Gadflies are needed. We have them now in the form of letter writers to this paper, who sometime write exhaustively and whose letters are occasionally delayed for publication or pulled if they are libellous.

They come in the form of community action groups who challenge the accepted wisdom of the day. It’s evolution.

In Castlemaine a community group is fighting fluoridation. Many believe there is as much evidence about fluoride’s harm as there is about its good. With six working days’ notice the government is undeniably acting in haste to fluoridate our water supply.

There were protests about the Grand Prix under the previous State Coalition Government. I remember protestors being labelled NIMBYs and the “chattering class”, but now the State is saddled with a $40 million debt from the last year’s Grand Prix alone, and protestors may feel vindicated.

I imagine the Blue Wedge Coalition have suffered various appellations, John Brumby barely stopped short of calling protestors against the North-South Pipeline “liars”, and those protesting Melbourne’s desalination plant are labelled NIMBYs. A US Catholic priest who took a hammer and a can of paint to an air-force plane in the name of love was called a renegade priest and a coward by the judge.

Those opposing the toxic waste dump in Mildura’s food bowl fought a long and gruelling campaign against a government intent on implementing insanity. But they won.

In many cases, government, either State or Federal, makes its decisions behind closed doors and is hell bent on implementing those decisions.

You may say that’s what we pay them for. But politics is undeniably a dirty game, and those who rise know how to throw dirt and to crunch foes. In other words, they’re not saints who magically have a wise solution best for us all happily ever after.

They can be as selfish, grubby, two-faced and venal as the rest of us. The Iguana Nightclub affair has shed light on that.

We’re a nation settled by outcasts. Some of them were recalcitrant horse thieves and cutpurses, but many were political prisoners, “gadflies” who questioned the motives and actions of those in power or spat in their soup.

These days we don’t get shipped to the other side of the world in a brig. We might be labelled NIMBYs or liars, or talked down by slick bureaucrats, but the intent is the same: “We have the power, you get down”.

In the end, of course, the State forced Socrates to drink hemlock.

But we need more gadflies.

(Reproduced without permission, intentionally. We hope very much that we have broken some copyright law, somewhere. DMS)

Castlemaine SWAG, legal challenge possible

We hand-delivered the first 459 signed and witnessed "Notice of Non-Consent to treatment for dental decay (where the treatment is adding fluoride to my drinking water)" to the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Melbourne on 23rd June.

Our accompanying letter says six (6) working days notice of fluoridation is not fair or reasonable notice, asks for proper process and procedure to be followed and asks for time to consider reasonable ideas and requests which could satisfy everyone. Our question to DHS is "What's the hurry?"

We have suggested, for example, that if the government wants to fluoridate regardless of the expressed opposition of residents, that an alternative water supply (water tanks) could be provided by the government for people who want one and who can't afford to buy their own. This would at least mean fluoridation was not 'forced treatment'.

We have asked for DHS to "extend the timeline for fluoridation of Mount Alexander Shire to allow time to address and resolve the valid issues raised here and in the attached notes" and our letter concludes -

"Your immediate response is requested to this letter and to the Notice of Non-consent to treatment, either by notifying us that you will postpone the introduction of fluoridation of Mount Alexander Shire to properly address the issues raised, or by notification that DHS intends to proceed with fluoridation as planned, in which case Castlemaine Safe Water Action Group will consider its options, including an immediate legal challenge."

As the commencement of fluoridation is scheduled for next Monday 30 June, we expect a reply from DHS this week.

DMS

Fluoridation due to begin June 30th

We have been told by DHS via the media, that fluoridation in the Castlemaine area is scheduled to begin during the week of June 30th.

Castlemaine Safe Water Action Group has responded to the media announcement with this document to the Secretary of DHS that residents can sign and have witnessed -

NOTICE of NON-CONSENT TO TREATMENT FOR DENTAL DECAY
(where the treatment is adding fluoride to my drinking water)

I assert my right to refuse ‘treatment for dental decay’ (where the treatment is by the addition of the chemical fluoride to my drinking water), as authorised by the Secretary, Department of Human Services Victoria.

I assert that the purported benefits of such treatment are not sufficient to warrant my forced consumption of fluoride, or for any person or government to waive my right to refuse treatment.

I assert that there is sufficient scientific evidence to inform the Department of Human Services Victoria that there are potential harms from fluoride consumption, and that in choosing to dismiss this evidence and add fluoride to my drinking water, the Department of Human Services is acting in negligence of their duty of care to me.

I assert that I am being denied natural justice by the Secretary of the Department of Human Services Victoria, who authorised my treatment with no regard to my expressed refusal.

And I assert that I am being denied natural justice by the Victorian Government, who conferred authority to the Secretary of the Department of Human Services Victoria.

I assert that my rights include but are not limited to those stated here.

Residents who would like to sign must do so URGENTLY. Contact SWAG by email if you would like to sign a copy of the above statement, and the group will send it to DHS along with others on your behalf.

Background to fluoridation in Castlemaine area

Castlemaine, central Victoria, Australia is a beautiful rural town, population 7,000 with a population of 17,000 in the whole of Mount Alexander Shire. Smaller townships with the same water supply are Campbells Creek, Chewton, Maldon, Harcourt, Fryerstown, Elphinstone, Taradale, Newstead and Guildford.

Ten years ago, the shire was to have fluoride added to the water supply, but a petition opposing it was signed by 3,500 residents after a large public meeting, and the Castlemaine Safe Water Action Group was formed. The purpose of the Group was to oppose fluoridation and to call for a full vote of residents to decide the matter.

At the time, Bob Cameron, state Member for Bendigo West supported residents’ right to choose:

“The decision…to go ahead with fluoridation of water supplies for Castlemaine, Kyneton and Bendigo has been condemned by the State Member for Bendigo West, Bob Cameron…” “On Friday Mr Cameron received a petition to draw to the attention of parliament. He said it contains the greatest number of signatures expressing opposition to fluoridating a water supply gathered on a petition in Australia. Mr Cameron said he wrote to the government two months ago on the need for substantial support before fluoridation is introduced…”
(Castlemaine Mail newspaper, page2, Friday September 11, 1998)

Mount Alexander Shire Council considered residents’ concerns and requested a full vote of residents on fluoridation in 1998.

In 2002, fluoridation plans were announced for the Bendigo, Kyneton and Castlemaine areas. Mount Alexander Shire Council strengthened its position, formally opposing fluoridation unless a plebiscite (full vote) of residents was held indicating an absolute majority of support for fluoridation.

The nearby towns of Bendigo and Kyneton were fluoridated, leaving Mount Alexander Shire fluoride-free, to the relief of residents.

Now, the Victorian State Government is pushing its fluoridation policy again, this time more determined to succeed.

Fluoridation has been 'sold' to the government as an economic imperative, with the entire improvements in dental condition in Melbourne over 30 years being attributed incorrectly to fluoridation. It is a fact that unfluoridated areas like ours have experienced similar dental improvements over the same period.

We have asked for, but not been given information about the current condition of teeth in our shire. Apparently no such local information exists, yet the Department of Human Services Victoria proposes fluoridation anyway. This is irresponsible and haphazard health policy.

The current Mount Alexander Shire Council has reiterated its democratic position, opposing fluoridation unless a full vote of residents shows an absolute majority of support. (December 2007)

Bob Cameron, our state MP now says he doesn’t want a plebiscite, he wants fluoridation. Will Bob stick with his government’s policy of forced fluoridation, or will he take a democratic approach and listen to the people who voted him in?

Contact Bob Cameron now, to tell him what you think about forced fluoridation of Mount Alexander Shire.

We pay for the water, we drink it and we have a right to decide what’s in it.

What's wrong with fluoridation?

1) Excess fluoride harms teeth and bones (fluorosis).
Fluoride is known to cause dental and skeletal fluorosis, but the effects of drinking fluoride (rather than applying to teeth) on the rest of our bodies is so poorly researched that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Health & Medical Research Council say further research must be done. Research suggests fluoride may also harm the brain and other body parts, especially with long-term consumption.

2) Its effectiveness is exaggerated.
The Department of Human Services (DHS) claims that reductions in tooth decay in fluoridated areas are due to fluoride, but similar reductions have occurred in non-fluoridated areas.

3) The dose is unregulated.
Those who drink more water, like physical workers, formula-fed infants, or people with some medical conditions, get more fluoride and are at more risk of fluorosis. WHO says total intake of fluoride from all sources should be calculated before adding fluoride, to avoid overdose. DHS has no idea how much fluoride each of us already consumes.

4) It is compulsory mass medication, removing our right to choose what we consume. No doctor can force medication on us, and yet our politicians and departmental bureaucrats want to do just that. There are other ways to give fluoride to people who want it, and an alternative water source is unaffordable for many people.

MOUNT ALEXANDER SHIRE COUNCIL supports residents’ right to choose, and opposes fluoridation unless a plebiscite (full vote) of residents indicates that an absolute majority want it. (Feb 2002, unanimously ratified by the current council Dec 2007)

THE STATE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY is to fluoridate household water across Victoria. Our MP Bob Cameron wants fluoridation without a plebiscite of residents.

The State government changed the law in 1994 to prohibit legal action against the State for problems caused by fluoridation, so politicians can’t be held responsible.

WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT WANT FLUORIDATION?
Forced fluoridation is about money, not our safety or our right to reject more chemicals in the water we pay for. State politicians believe they will save millions of dollars in dental care if they fluoridate. This belief is risky because:

1. Estimated savings are based on an optimistic view of the ‘effectiveness’ of fluoridation.
   WHO statistics (www.whocollab.od.mah.se) show an almost identical rate of reduction in tooth decay in fluoridated and non-fluoridated countries worldwide from 1970 to 2002. This means the claimed dental benefits of fluoridation have been vastly overstated, and the government’s estimates of financial ‘savings’ will be excessive.
2. Estimated savings don’t include the costs of fluoridation.
   Treating dental fluorosis which can affect 48% of children in fluoridated areas, 12.5% severely; Medical treatment for sensitive reactions and other ailments; Installing fluoride removal filters for kidney dialysis & medical procedures which are dangerous with fluoride in the water; Possible fluoride corrosion of water pipes etc.

WHO OPPOSES FLUORIDATION?
Many scientists and medical people now oppose fluoridation, including:

• Former President of the SA Dental Association Dr Andrew Harms
• Former Australian Health Minister Doug Everingham
• 21 doctors in Warrnambool district who have signed a letter of opposition
• Prof. Deisendorf, Fluoridation researcher & Dir. Sustainability Centre, Sydney

MORE INFORMATION
For current research on fluoridation and the international Professionals’ Statement Calling for an End to Water Fluoridation, go to http://www.fluoridealert.org/.

The above text is from the current S.W.A.G. flier, which can downloaded as a ready-to-print PDF here.

Downloads

Unless otherwise stated, all documents are in PDF format.

The letter sent to the DHS and Minister of Health, seeking a public retraction and correction of DHS's false statements and claims about the York Review.
Download

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The 2004 letter by Professor Sheldon of the University of York, in which he clarifies the actual findings of the York Review.
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A public letter from Keith Oakley of Geelong to Victoria's Premier Brumby
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