Radical bid to keep repeat drink-driver from jail

File photo / NZME.

A repeat drink-driver has travelled overseas to have an anti-booze drug implanted in his arm - and this week his lawyer will argue the radical move should keep him out of jail.

Auckland barrister Stuart Blake was reluctant to reveal details of the case when contacted by the Herald on Sunday because it is still before the court.

But he confirmed the man went overseas to have the Netroxene SP drug implanted in his arm ahead of his sentencing this week. It is understood his bail conditions were relaxed so he could travel.

The drug reportedly curbs the desire to drink alcohol, and the implant slowly releases the drug into the bloodstream for about 12 months.

The implant has not been approved for use in New Zealand, and Medsafe has not received applications to market it here, but the drug is approved in tablet form as part of an alcohol addiction treatment programme.

Blake said he would lobby for the implant to be approved as a sentencing option for repeat drink-drivers because it could potentially reduce alcohol-related crime.

He said it was too easy for addicts to stop taking their daily tablets.

"The inherent risk is that ... they start consuming alcohol again. The implant removes that option.

"I think it could be a great tool for recidivist drink drivers. It would really help protect public safety and be a valuable addition to the management of selected chronic alcoholics."

Last year, 5679 drink-drivers were prosecuted for their third or more offence.

The maximum penalty for repeat offenders is up to two years in jail or a fine of $6000.

They will automatically be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence for one year or more.

"For those people who really want to change, you can look at their criminal records and they won't have any other convictions," Blake said.

"It's just drink-drive after drink-drive and they've clearly got a problem. But in all other respects they're really good contributing members of society and have families. For them, it's perfect."

Professor Douglas Sellman, alcohol and addiction expert at Otago University, supported the use of implants.

"It's the best medication we've got for alcohol dependency, and addiction is so hard to treat, so we need every possible option.

"Trials show that it is very helpful and anyone who is struggling with their recovery from alcohol addiction should really think about this medication."

But he said that although the implant is a convenient treatment, recovery needed daily attention and people had to build a new lifestyle.

Netroxene SP works as an anti-craving medication, helping mediate the part of the brain that controls a person's survival instincts.

"When people have an addiction, these survival instincts are hijacked. They feel their lives depend on continuing to do that action.

"That's why people do desperate things when they're not able to get their product," Sellman said.

"When you drink, it gives you a high. It's the bit that makes you feel like a wonderful person living in a wonderful world.

"This drug makes you lose that nice feeling."