Rural drugs alarm: hospitals fail audit

Addictive drugs including oxycodone and morphine are at danger of falling into the wrong hands, according to a new health report. Picture: file image Source: Supplied

ADDICTIVE drugs including oxycodone and morphine were in danger of falling into the wrong hands "undetected" because of poor record-keeping in WA's rural health service, an internal review shows.

The Sunday Times can also reveal other drugs were being kept in an unlocked cupboard, some were being poured down the sink and inaccurate notes were kept on patient records.

An internal audit, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, shows that Schedule 4R and Schedule 8 drugs were still being inadequately controlled by the WA Country Health Service two years after a damn¬ing report alleging drug abuse, theft, and misconduct across WA Health.

Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said it was clear the Health Department was unable to manage hospital medicines properly.

"The Minister has a responsibility to ensure that better security measures are put in place to safeguard these drugs in case the drugs are abused," he said.

A Corruption and Crime Commission review into the handling of drugs by the Health Department was tabled in Parliament in 2010.

The report contained shocking allegations including drug theft, cover-ups and incidences of saline solution being substituted for restricted drugs. A subsequent audit of four WA Country Health Service hospital wards and pharmacies was conducted by the Health Department's internal audit division in 2012.

The audit, obtained by The Sunday Times, identified several "weaknesses" in the storage of S4R (clonazepam, midazolam, tramadol) and S8 (methadone, morphine, oxycodone) drugs by WACHS, and potential noncompliance with poisons regulations.

These drugs are considered to be at "high risk" of unexplained loss or misconduct.

"Audit observed that the S4R drug cupboard in the Bunbury Regional Hospital Pharmacy was left unlocked when not in use and when deliverymen were present even though (WA Health) Operational Directive 215/09 explicitly states secure storage areas must be 'kept locked when not in immediate use'," the report said.

It noted drugs disposed of by "pouring them down a sink" - a potential breach of poisons regulations - and inaccurate recording of drug transfers and usage.

WACHS acting chief executive Melissa Vernon said all the issues in the review had since been addressed.

"We have new policies and protocols to identify report and monitor any discrepancies in storage, handling and dispensing of these medications," Ms Vernon said.

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Teen mental ills double

THE number of teenagers seeking treatment at hospital emergency departments for mental health issues has more than doubled in five years.

Health Department data obtained by The Sunday Times show 4674 such presentations (for 13 to 17-year-olds) in 2012-13 - 2373 more than in 2008-09.

The number of teenagers who spent the night in a specialised mental health hospital bed also increased substantially over the same five-year period, from 410 to 778.

The alarming numbers come after The Sunday Times revealed last week that suicide had overtaken car accidents and illness as the most common cause of unexpected death among WA teenagers.

It also comes as a not-for-profit service providing healthcare to almost 1000 Peel teenagers is facing closure.

WA has just 20 dedicated adolescent psychiatric beds - eight at Princess Margaret Hospital and 12 at the Bentley Adolescent Unit.

Opposition health spokesman Roger Cook said the increase in presentations was "truly alarming".

"These figures show that there has been a 30 per cent increase between 2011-12 and 2012-13 in young people presenting to EDs with a mental health issue," he said.

"At the same time that we are seeing these dramatic increases in children with mental health problems, the Barnett Government is spending $1.2 billion on a new children's hospital that will only provide another eight mental health beds"

But Mental Health Minister Helen Morton said "the mix of increased community capacity, plus the youth-specific places at the new hospitals being built, plus the 20 beds at PMH will meet demand".

"All the evidence we have collated indicates that the solution to increasing presentations to emergency departments is ensuring we have additional child, adolescent and youth specialist services in the community, increased capacity of community-based support organisations - and additional child and adolescent beds and youth specific beds," she said.

Peel Youth Medical Service, which has been providing free consultations for 12 to 25-year-olds, fears closure after GP Down South had its funding cut as a result of the introduction of the Medicare Locals.

The service, which has 938 active patients, 38 per cent suffering mental ill-health, had its suicide prevention strategy funds cut in October last year.

Lifeline 13 11 14, Kids Help Line 1800 55 1800

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City sweats in 43.1C, bush tops planet

A TOTAL fire ban has been issued for Perth and surrounding areas as authorities prepare for Saturdays 44C scorcher.

PERTH sweltered through its hottest January day in 23 years yesterday when the mercury peaked at 43.3C.

It was also the hottest day in Perth since Boxing Day 2007, when a maximum of 44.2C was recorded.

But the hottest temperature measured in the state - and, indeed, on the whole planet - was in the Mid-West town of Morowa, 370km north of Perth. The town's 500-plus residents had to contend with a searing 46.9C at 3.45pm.

The electricity grid took a pounding as residents bunkered down with their airconditioning cranked up.

Western Power said electricity demand peaked at 3733 megawatts at 4.45pm. The all-time record remains at 4028 megawatts, which was recorded two years ago.

A spokeswoman said 2000 customers were without power when it was switched off for safety reasons because of the bushfire at Jolimont.

There were a few outages elsewhere but the spokeswoman said the grid was largely trouble-free.

"Aircon", "#melting" and "#44degrees" were topics trending on Twitter, according to Trendsmap Perth.

The Department of Health said that there had been no heat-related admissions to Perth's hospitals.

The second day's play of the women's Ashes Test went ahead at the WACA with drinks breaks every 40 minutes.

Megan Schutt and Nicole Bolton from the Australian women's cricket team cool off. Source: News Limited

Players were given ice towels, Gatorade slushies and more regular ice baths.

While some sought comfort in airconditioned shopping centres, others went further.

Roiry Tipene emailed PerthNow: "My husband's idea of keeping HIMSELF cool - went and got some aircon aluminium insulation tubing, taped it around the aircon unit and jumped in, instant relief!"

Surf lifesavers were kept busy at metropolitan beaches throughout the day.

Surf Life Saving WA recorded 24 rescues, 98 first aids and 467 preventative actions.

Three children were taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries after hitting their heads on sandbars.

More than 1000 hardy competitors completed the latest round of the Telstra triathlon series in Armadale.

Organisers put on extra aid stations and made showers and ice available to the recovering competitors.

The Bureau of Meteorology described yesterday's heat as "unexceptional".

The all-time January record is 45.8C on January 31, 1991. The record for any month is 46.2C, on February 2, 1991.

The metropolitan area is forecast to suffer a maximum of 41C today, but a sea breeze is expected to bring some respite in the afternoon.

A total fire ban remains in place for Perth and other parts of WA.

Perth Zoo has started handing out monster icy poles and other iced treats to animals to help the animals beat the heat. Picture: Perth Zoo Source: Supplied

Perth Zoo has distributed monster icy poles to its animals, with even the otters enjoying icy poles made from whitebait, blue bait, prawns and mussels.

Perth Zoo has started handing out monster icy poles and other iced treats to animals to help the animals beat the heat. Picture: Perth Zoo Source: Supplied

Even fortunate pool and spa owners were being warned to take precautions, with a reminder to ensure water was properly treated so swimmers avoid catching amoebic meningitis, which thrives in water temperatures between 28 and 40 degrees.

The scorching temperatures will arise as a pocket of very hot air, which has subjected the Pilbara to intense heat this week, begins to move south.

Onslow has suffered through two successive days over 40C, with Paraburdoo topping 40C by 9.30am on Friday.

Mike Burgin, regional director from the Bureau of Meteorology, said Saturday was likely to be Perth's hottest day since Boxing Day, 2007.

"And Perth certainly won't be the worst of it. To the north-east of the city we will get temperatures up to 46, 47 degrees,'' he said.

Ascot race meeting first casualty of heat

ASCOT'S race meeting became the first casualty of tomorrow's scorching 44C day as Perth looks for ways to beat the heat.

Perth Racing has put its hot weather contingency plan in place and moved Ascot's scheduled Saturday race meeting to Sunday.

Race times for the Ascot meeting have been revised and entry to the racecourse on Sunday will be free.

The meeting will be broadcast on SKY Racing 1, while Geraldton's race meeting, also on Sunday, will now be shown on SKY Racing 2.

Surf Life Saving WA has warned beachgoers to take extra care. Source: News Limited

Take care on Perth beaches

As the mercury climbs tomorrow, Surf Life Saving WA expects beaches to be packed and is urging people to take extra care.

It has been a busy start to the Surf Life Saving season since patrols began in October, with 696 rescues, 1207 first-aid treatments and an additional 5827 actions taken to prevent incidents.

There have also been four coastal drowning deaths at unpatrolled spots.

Surf Life Saving WA community safety manager Chris Peck said it was crucial that beach-goers swam between the red and yellow flags, and followed the advice of lifesavers.

He said people also needed to be "beach safe'' by supervising children, having aquatic skills, knowing first aid and CPR, and using appropriate safety gear and planning for emergencies.

"It is also vital that in hot conditions beach-goers regularly apply sunscreen, keep hydrated and remember that consumption of alcohol impairs physical responses and decision-making processes, and anyone that has consumed alcohol should not enter the water,'' Mr Peck said.

All major Perth beaches will be patrolled by Surf Life Saving services and Wesfarmers Lifesaver Jet-Ski teams over the weekend, as well as aerial surveillance between Yanchep and Mandurah by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter.

Sunday won't provide much relief, with an expected top of 39C but the weather shapes up nicely from Monday with expected tops in the low 30 for the first half of the week.

The beach is expected to be a popular place as Perth tries to beat the heat tomorrow.

Back-to-back 48C days for Onslow

IT didn't quite reach 50C yesterday but it's unlikely the good folk of Learmonth and Onslow really noticed the difference as the mercury maxed at over 48C.

The Pilbara's mega heatwave continued yesterday - at Onslow Airport, almost 1400km north of Perth, the temperature reached 48.2C at about 12.30pm.

Learmonth Airport, near Exmouth and about 1250km north of Perth, was fractionally behind, recording a high of 48.1 just before 2.30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has been unable to obtain information from Emu Creek, where it was forecast to reach 49C and possibly threaten 50C.

Onslow has roasted through two of its hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring to 48.7C yesterday, closely followed by today's 48.2C.

Today, Learmonth had the highest maximum in the Pilbara, peaking at 46.9C just after 2.30pm, while the mercury reach 45C in Paraburdoo.

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'Shocked to my core': escaped rapist's victim

CCTV showing escapee Cameron John Graham while he was on the run. Source: Supplied

THE Perth woman raped by prison escapee Cameron John Graham has revealed for the first time about her horrific experience and says her life has been "shattered on every level."

In a 1000 word essay, the stoic married mother of two children, who now lives overseas, said hearing of Graham's escape from custody last week made her furious and had brought back "terrible memories and flashbacks."

Graham, 22, was sentenced to 11 years jail for repeatedly raping the woman in her Beeliar home in January 2013. The women's two children, whom Graham threatened to kill during the terrifying ordeal, were sleeping in a nearby room. Last Friday he escaped from the back of a prison van after being flown from Perth to Geraldton to be closer to his family over Christmas. Both he and another prisoner who escaped with him were recaptured last Sunday.

The woman's powerful essay in full

It's hard to describe my reaction to Friday's news of his escape, as it was a complete shock to me that this could happen and I was overwhelmed by emotions and anxiety.

I woke that morning to see an urgent email from Victims Notification Services trying to get in contact with me as they did not know I had moved away from Perth. I went straight onto the internet for further information and was confronted with a picture of my rapist and confirmation of what had occurred. I then contacted my family back in Perth.

Initially I could not understand why he was being moved and was unclear if he had been in prison in Perth or Geraldton. As the events came to light, I was more and more shocked to learn what had happened. My head was still trying to process the news that he had the opportunity to escape, then to learn he had been moved closer to his family as a Christmas privilege to a primarily medium security prison. I was completely astounded.

I was terribly upset and angered that the people responsible for detaining prisoners of this nature seemed to have no regard to the seriousness and gravity of the horrific ordeal that I endured and the risk to public. He was only a month into his sentence for committing humiliating, degrading and terrifying acts that have shattered my life on every level. I am furious knowing that this privilege was happening on taxpayers' dollars (mine included) when it's hard to even calculate what this has cost me and my family financially, not even considering the permanent and ongoing impact it has had on every aspect of my day-to-day living.

It's been almost a year since the event and I still cannot fall asleep at night alone in a room without overwhelming anxiety and the need to put the television or light on. I have regular nightmares of certain aspects of my ordeal which wake me in the middle of the night with uncontrollable feelings of fear and anxiety, often remembering how he woke me from my sleep after walking through our house, through my children's rooms while he was planning what he later forced me to do. Since hearing of his escape I have had constant anxiety and cannot be alone in the house or able to sleep without medication. It has brought back terrible memories and flashbacks and I am finding it hard to control my emotions.

I really struggle to try and describe the impact the assault has had on life for me and my family. Although I was struggling to deal with what had happened, I was determined to try and start the New Year looking forward to getting on top of my anxieties and fears, but the news of the weekend shook me to my core. Prior to him being captured, I was terrified for the public and anyone that got in his way as I know how cold, cruel and menacing he was to me, let alone what he could do with desperation and his own self-preservation in mind. I don't want to discuss anything around the event as it is too painful and disturbing for me and for my family to keep hearing. I really don't think people truly understand the ongoing trauma and impact this also has on the lives of family and friends, unless they have experienced something similar. At times I even feel guilt for the stress this has caused others.

I appreciated the fact that the Minister Joe Francis contacted my husband to explain and offer his apologies for the incident occurring; however, I did not speak to him personally because I was still tremendously upset about everything that had happened over that weekend. I do believe that someone should be accountable for allowing this to happen and I am extremely disappointed that it takes an incident like this to highlight these flawed policies that have no regard for victims or the public.

I also believe that the initial sentence he was given was very light for the horrendous crimes he committed. He has shown over and over that he will continue to commit crimes, escalating in nature and has no fear of going to prison as he kept telling me that throughout the ordeal. This recent incident proves that he has no shame or remorse for his actions and he should be in maximum security never to be moved again or given any privileges. I truly hope that he gets the maximum additional sentence the system will allow, with no parole. I will always have to live with those memories of being confined and powerless with an utterly revolting, disturbed and cowardly individual, who continually threatened the lives of my sleeping children, but there is some comfort in knowing he is locked away and not able to do this to somebody else.

Life has been extremely difficult in every way since last year. Immediately following, I could no longer reside in the dream home we had spent two years building and had to move to a small secured apartment complex which made life very difficult for our two young children who couldn't understand why they had to leave their new home.

My husband had to leave his FIFO job to be home with me and the family. I felt that I could not remain in Perth with constant reminders and the fear that his family may seek retribution for me going to the police. Overall, I feel that my independence has been lost and I cannot be alone in a house without constant fear, anxiety. Flashbacks, nightmares and trouble sleeping are a constant reminder. I have to take medication to help me cope with the gravity of it all.

It has affected my relationship with my husband and the terror of my children ever being harmed or threatened will always be at the forefront of my mind, especially knowing he was standing just a couple of feet from my four-year-old daughter and six-year-old year son while they slept.

I do have a level of inner determination not to let this affect me for the rest of my life though. I am hopeful to one day be able to return to Australia and maybe Perth without the fear and traumatic memories which are so fresh to me now. With all of the unrest my children have felt over the last year, I am very focused on ensuring they feel secure, safe and happy. I also feel very thankful that my work has been supportive and gives me a degree of satisfaction. Between the support of my work, family and friends, I am hoping to feel like a person of worth again at some point in the future.

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Rising Aussie house prices 'bad'

Will Watts and Hannah Price opted to fix their mortgage rate after stretching their budget in Sydney's hot market. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Limited

IT'S the great Australian dream: buy your own home, settle in and watch it grow in value to fund your retirement.

But stretched affordability has soured the dream for many.

A majority of Australians now think rising house prices are bad for the country, with exclusive new polling showing more than half the population disagrees with the statement that "rising house prices are a good thing for Australia".

And the number of people who think rising house prices are good for Australia is a quarter of those who don't like the development.

Surprisingly, even though they stand to gain the most from rising prices, older Australians are even more concerned about rising prices than people aged under 30.

"Even though as homeowners older generations tend to benefit from rising prices, parents are really worried about their kids capacity to enter the housing market," the director at Ipsos, Rebecca Huntley, told News Corp Australia.

According to the Ipsos survey, 53.7 per cent of Australians disagree with the statement "rising house prices are a good thing for Australia", with 27 per cent "strongly" disagreeing.

Only 13.2 per cent thought rising house prices were a good thing, with the rest ambivalent or "don't know".

Aussie home prices jumped 10 per cent last year thanks to record low interest rates, with the steepest rise in Sydney of 14.5 per cent. Prices in Sydney and Perth are now above their pre-GFC highs.

Australians in their thirties and forties are the group most worried about rising prices, followed by those aged 50 plus.

Young fathers, in particular, expressed concern in separate focus groups about their child's future ability to buy a home. According to Dr Huntley: "Even though their kids were still very young, these young dads were already anxious about housing affordability in decades to come."

"Property ownership has been part of our social compact. It's been linked to our sense of what it is to be Australian."

"The community understands housing prices are a problem and yet they don't know what governments and consumers can do to change it in a way that won't detrimentally effect those people who are relying on the capital in their home to fund their retirement.", Dr Huntley said.

Two thirds of Australian households own their home, either with or without a mortgage, while a third rent.

Low income earners, along with single and divorced people, are also most aware of the pain rising prices can bring. Households with two incomes, including married or people living in defacto relationships, are most comfortable with rising prices.

People in cities - where price rises have been steepest - were more concerned than rural Australians about rising prices.

The survey of 1043 people was conducted last November.

PER CENT WHO DISAGREE RISING HOUSE PRICES A GOOD THING

AUSTRALIA TOTAL 53.7%

Aged 18-29: 50.8%

Aged 30-49: 55.8%

Aged 50+: 53.4%

Hobart 70.0%

ACT 53.6%

Sydney 59.6%

Adelaide 57.9%

Brisbane 55.9%

Perth 53.7%

Melbourne 52.6%

###

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Red alert: total fire ban as Perth sizzles

A TOTAL fire ban has been issued for Perth and surrounding areas as authorities prepare for Saturdays 44C scorcher.

A TOTAL fire ban has been issued for Perth, Mandurah and the Perth Hills area, as authorities prepare for tomorrow's 44C scorcher.

Fire and health authorities in WA have both been placed on red alert as Perth braces for its hottest day in more than five years.

Temperatures in the city are tipped to soar past 44C, with outlying metropolitan suburbs warned to expect even more intense heat over the weekend.

Perth won't be alone in sweltering under extreme temperatures, with the wheatbelt town of Morawa, about 370km north of Perth, expecting a top of 47C.

With catastrophic fire conditions to stretch from the Pilbara to the south west, bushfire brigades across the state have been told to prepare for the worst.

We're looking for the most ingenious ways WA people are cooling down this weekend.

Send your photos to readerpics@perthnow.com.au or tweet @perthnow #beattheheat

The craziest ideas may be published in The Sunday Times or on perthnow.com.au

Read the latest weather forecast: weather.perthnow.com.au

DFES Deputy commissioner Lloyd Bailey. Source: News Limited

People in these are warned not to light or use any fires in the open air and all open fires for cooking or camping are not alllowed.

Hot work such as metal work, grinding, welding, soldering, gas cutting or similar is also banned unless an exemption is obtained.

DFES warns that inoring the ban could lead to a $25,000 fine or 12 months in jail.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a catastrophic fire danger warning for the inland part of the Greater Geraldton region and several wheatbelt shires, including Morawa and Moora.

An extreme fire danger warning is in place for many coastal shires in the Mid-West and other parts of the state.

Extra water bombers on standby

Earlier today, Deputy Commissioner Lloyd Bailey, from WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services, said volunteer firefighters have been rostered on all weekend, and extra water bombers have been placed on stand-by.

``We ask people not to just lock themselves up with the air-conditioning, but be cognisant of what is going on around them,'' Deputy Commissioner Bailey said.

The elderly, those with young children and babies and tourists who might not be used to the heat have been particularly warned of the potential effects of the heat.

``Although we are used to the heat, it is very important not to become complacent,'' said Dr Revle Bangor-Jones, Director WA Health's Disaster Management Unit.

``It is very important to keep the hydration levels up, and recognise any signs in the body that you are overheating.

Dr Bangor-Jones said emergency departments around the city were all on stand-by for an influx of heat victims.

Symptoms include dry, red, hot skin, high body temperature, nausea, and rapid heart rate.

St John's Ambulance advised anyone suffering from heat stroke should have cold packs or wrapped ice applied to their neck, groin and armpits, or be covered with a wet sheet while emergency services arrive.

Sunday won't bring much respite, with a revised maximum temperature of 41C, although Monday should bring a cool change.

Perth Zoo has started handing out monster icy poles and other iced treats to animals to help the animals beat the heat. Picture: Perth Zoo Source: Supplied

Perth Zoo has distributed monster icy poles to its animals, with even the otters enjoying icy poles made from whitebait, blue bait, prawns and mussels.

Perth Zoo has started handing out monster icy poles and other iced treats to animals to help the animals beat the heat. Picture: Perth Zoo Source: Supplied

Even fortunate pool and spa owners were being warned to take precautions, with a reminder to ensure water was properly treated so swimmers avoid catching amoebic meningitis, which thrives in water temperatures between 28 and 40 degrees.

The scorching temperatures will arise as a pocket of very hot air, which has subjected the Pilbara to intense heat this week, begins to move south.

Onslow has suffered through two successive days over 40C, with Paraburdoo topping 40C by 9.30am on Friday.

Mike Burgin, regional director from the Bureau of Meteorology, said Saturday was likely to be Perth's hottest day since Boxing Day, 2007.

"And Perth certainly won't be the worst of it. To the north-east of the city we will get temperatures up to 46, 47 degrees,'' he said.

Ascot race meeting first casualty of heat

ASCOT'S race meeting became the first casualty of tomorrow's scorching 44C day as Perth looks for ways to beat the heat.

Perth Racing has put its hot weather contingency plan in place and moved Ascot's scheduled Saturday race meeting to Sunday.

Race times for the Ascot meeting have been revised and entry to the racecourse on Sunday will be free.

The meeting will be broadcast on SKY Racing 1, while Geraldton's race meeting, also on Sunday, will now be shown on SKY Racing 2.

Surf Life Saving WA has warned beachgoers to take extra care. Source: News Limited

Take care on Perth beaches

As the mercury climbs tomorrow, Surf Life Saving WA expects beaches to be packed and is urging people to take extra care.

It has been a busy start to the Surf Life Saving season since patrols began in October, with 696 rescues, 1207 first-aid treatments and an additional 5827 actions taken to prevent incidents.

There have also been four coastal drowning deaths at unpatrolled spots.

Surf Life Saving WA community safety manager Chris Peck said it was crucial that beach-goers swam between the red and yellow flags, and followed the advice of lifesavers.

He said people also needed to be "beach safe'' by supervising children, having aquatic skills, knowing first aid and CPR, and using appropriate safety gear and planning for emergencies.

"It is also vital that in hot conditions beach-goers regularly apply sunscreen, keep hydrated and remember that consumption of alcohol impairs physical responses and decision-making processes, and anyone that has consumed alcohol should not enter the water,'' Mr Peck said.

All major Perth beaches will be patrolled by Surf Life Saving services and Wesfarmers Lifesaver Jet-Ski teams over the weekend, as well as aerial surveillance between Yanchep and Mandurah by the Westpac Lifesaver Helicopter.

Sunday won't provide much relief, with an expected top of 39C but the weather shapes up nicely from Monday with expected tops in the low 30 for the first half of the week.

The beach is expected to be a popular place as Perth tries to beat the heat tomorrow.

Back-to-back 48C days for Onslow

IT didn't quite reach 50C yesterday but it's unlikely the good folk of Learmonth and Onslow really noticed the difference as the mercury maxed at over 48C.

The Pilbara's mega heatwave continued yesterday - at Onslow Airport, almost 1400km north of Perth, the temperature reached 48.2C at about 12.30pm.

Learmonth Airport, near Exmouth and about 1250km north of Perth, was fractionally behind, recording a high of 48.1 just before 2.30pm.

The Bureau of Meteorology has been unable to obtain information from Emu Creek, where it was forecast to reach 49C and possibly threaten 50C.

Onslow has roasted through two of its hottest days on record, with temperatures soaring to 48.7C yesterday, closely followed by today's 48.2C.

Today, Learmonth had the highest maximum in the Pilbara, peaking at 46.9C just after 2.30pm, while the mercury reach 45C in Paraburdoo.

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Defence drug test results hit new high

FAILED drug tests among our soldiers, sailors and airmen have doubled in the past three years.

More than 1000 military personnel have tested positive for drugs or refused a test in the past eight years - 68 in the past four months of test results alone.

Alarmingly, positive tests for hard drugs are growing fastest, with 52 detections of drugs other than cannabis and steroids in four months of testing to October 31 last year, compared with 30 for the whole of the 2010-11 period.

And the number of personnel found with two or more drugs in their system is also on the rise, jumping from fewer than one in 10 positive tests in 2010-11 to almost one in three.

An Australian Defence Force spokeswoman, Lauren Harris, explained that increased random testing, improved test accuracy for a greater range of substances and increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of substance abuse were all contributing factors.

Ms Harris played down the latest spike in detections, saying results for the four months to October 31 were yet to be independently verified so they could not be relied on for any definitive assessment of trends.

Defence made no such qualification when it released the data in response to a Herald Sun request.

"Until this verification process is complete, any conclusion that there is an increase in prohibited substance use is speculative," Ms Harris said.

The data shows illicit drug detections in the military rose from 76 positive tests in 2010-11 to 144 in 2012-13. In the four months to October 31 there were 68 positive tests that detected 97 substances.

Over the same period the rate of positive tests has risen fourfold, from 3.8 per 1000 to 15.4 per 1000.

Ms Harris said personnel were subjected to random and targeted testing without warning, and could be tested as part of investigations of service offences under the Defence Force Discipline Act.

"Defence also conducts targeted testing against selected defence work areas or against particular ADF individuals where there is suspicion of the use of prohibited substances, or if trends are identified," Ms Harris said.

The armed forces have conducted more than 115,000 drug tests since mid-2005, of which there were 992 positive results and 14 refusals.

The failed tests resulted in 490 soldiers, 237 sailors and 46 air force personnel being sacked. Another 219 were reduced in rank, given a formal warning or censure or were awaiting a decision.

In the 40 months to October 31, for which detailed test results are available, the most commonly abused drugs in the military were cannabis, or its synthetic equivalent, of which there were 176 detections; amphetamines and methamphetamines - 148 detections; steroids, 86; MDMA and DMA, 38; benzodiazepines, 24; and cocaine, 23.

Positive results for cannabis and synthetic cannabis have dropped from more than half of all failed tests in 2010-11 to less than a third in the most recent positive tests.

While the vast majority of our 56,000 navy, army and air force personnel are clean-living, law-abiding citizens, drug use has become an increasing concern for authorities.

In 2011 it was revealed that up to 21 sailors were allegedly running a drug ring from the Garden Island navy base in Sydney and that about 30 more were possibly involved in distributing the contraband.

A year earlier, seven ADF staff were sent home from Afghanistan and drummed out of the army for steroid abuse.

peter.mickelburough@news.com.au

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Bali deaths: What happens next?

Hundreds have gathered on the Sunshine Coast to celebrate the lives of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff who died suddenly last weekend while holidaying in Bali.

THE bodies of Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana are expected to begin their final journey home from Bali and arrive in Brisbane this morning as their family seeks answers about their mystery deaths one week ago.

Morgue staff were late yesterday preparing the bodies and authorities said they would be on an overnight Virgin flight departing Denpasar at 9.10pm local time.

Noelene Bischoff and her 14-year-old daughter Yvana. Picture: AAP Source: AAP

Autopsies will be conducted in Queensland in a bid to find out how and why Noelene and Yvonne died so suddenly just four days into their Bali holiday.

Padang Bai Beach in Karangasem where Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana holidayed. Source: Supplied

Commissioner Adnan Pandibu, in charge of the investigation, said laboratory tests on vomit and other items found in the Bischoff's hotel room had found nothing suspicious.

Seeking answers ... Noelene's brother Malcolm with his family Logan, Grasienne, and Keryn. Source: News Limited

And he said so far there was no evidence of criminal activity in the mysterious deaths one week ago.

ANALYSIS: HOW DID NOELENE AND YVANA SUDDENLY DIE IN BALI?

Indonesian authorities decided to respect the Bischoff family's request that autopsies not be done in Bali and instead undertaken in Australia.

But Comm Pandibu said Bali police would continue their investigations into the deaths and would co-ordinate with Australian Federal Police.

"As requested by the family the bodies will be returned to Australia. Investigators are yet to find any evidence of crime in this case," he said.

"We will continue co-ordinating with Australian police".

Australian Federal Police and Consulate staff in Bali visit the morgue of Sanglah Hospital to meet with doctors and the Bali police investigator regarding the deaths of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff. Source: Supplied

Late yesterday he handed over letters releasing the bodies to the families.

Forensic tests had been carried out on vomit, medications, drinks me and cups found in the room at the Padang Bai beach Resort where the pair fell suddenly ill on the evening of January 3. Both died in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

Australian Federal Police and Consulate staff in Bali visit the morgue of Sanglah Hospital. Source: Supplied

Authorities initially speculated that severe food poisoning or an allergic reaction to seafood the had eaten for lunch or dinner may have been to blame.

There were no physical signs of injury and authorities say an autopsy is needed to uncover the truth.

Bischoff family spokesman Mal Brough thanks the community for their support in the wake of the deaths of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff in Bali.

The Sunshine Coast pair arrived in Bali on December 31 for a holiday. But just four days later, at their hotel on Bali's east coast, they fell suddenly ill and within hours both had passed away.

Their last day in Bali was Friday last week and the driver who showed them around for seven hours says the pair was healthy and happy and showed no signs of illness when he dropped them off at the hotel at 3.50pm.

Manager of the Padang Bai Beach Resort in Bali, Giovanni Bareato and marketing adviser Alena Lizahub in front of the hotel restaurant where Noelene Bischoff and her daughter Yvana ate. Source: Supplied

They ate dinner at 7pm that night and again did not appear to be ill. by midnight both were in a serious condition and Noelene died shortly after. Yvana passed away at 4.30am.

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Girls beat boys in WA Year 12 results

The School Curriculum and Standards Authority today released the league tables for WA schools today. Picture: file image Source: News Limited

THREE out of the top five WA schools based on last year's Year 12 results were single-sex girls schools, controversial league tables show.

St Hilda's Anglican School For Girls has been named the state's top school, with 37.46 per cent of its Class of 2013 finishing with a score of 75 per cent or more in their WA Certificate of Education courses.

It was followed by St Mary's Anglican Girls' School, Perth Modern School, Presbyterian Ladies' College and Hale School.

The so-called league tables, which rank schools based on their Year 12 performance, were released by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority today.

WA Association for Independent Schools executive director Valerie Gould said girls' schools generally performed better than boys' schools.

"Single-sex girls' schools have done better than boys' schools and that has been consistent for a while," she said.

But she reiterated that she, and the other education sectors, did not support the idea of ranking schools based on one measure.

"We are not fans of league tables because we don't think measuring school against school is the best way to measure what schools have achieved," Ms Gould said.

Education Department director-general Sharyn O'Neill welcomed results that showed almost 75 per cent of last year's Year 12 students at public schools finished school with a meaningful qualification, including an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 55 or above or a Certificate II or higher.

That had risen from just 60 per cent in 2011, following the director-general's hard-line stance on the issue.

"This means that they are leaving school with something tradeable," she said.

But Ms O'Neill warned there were still some schools that needed to "lift their game".

"That means the expectation is being raised every year and that is the kind of momentum that I have been seeking in public schools," she said.

She said the stand-out school in the top 50 was North Albany Senior High School, which has drastically turned its performance around following critical reviews conducted by the Expert Review Group.

"I think this is vindication of their work," Ms O'Neill said.

There were 17 public schools in the top 50, up from 12 the year before. Two public schools - Perth Modern School and Shenton College - were also in the top 10 for 2013.

Catholic Education Office of WA director Tim McDonald said eight Catholic schools finished in the top 50 in WA.

He was particularly pleased with the performance of lower socio-economic schools, including St Norbert College, Chisholm Catholic College, MacKillop Catholic College and Bunbury Catholic College.

Dr McDonald said league tables did not "capture the well-rounded education offered by Catholic education".

Ashdale Secondary College was also named WA's top vocational school, as well as Bindoon's Catholic Agricultural College, Emmanuel Catholic College, Iona Presentation College, MacKillop Catholic College, Quinns Baptist College, Santa Maria College, St Brigid's College, St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls, St Mary's College, Woodthorpe School and the WA Colleges of Agriculture in Denmark, Harvey and Narrogin.

That meant 100 per cent of their students achieved a Certificate II or higher.

yasmine.phillips@news.com.au

THE TOP 20

1) St Hilda's Anglican School For Girls

2) St Mary's Anglican Girls' School

3) Perth Modern School

4) Presbyterian Ladies' College

5) Hale School

6) Christ Church Grammar School

7) Methodist Ladies' College

8) Scotch College

9) Penrhos College

10) Shenton College

11) Perth College

12) Sacred Heart College

13) Rossmoyne Senior High School

14) Churchlands Senior High School

15) Santa Maria College

16) Murdoch College

17) Willetton Senior High School

18) Wesley College

19) Swan Valley Anglican Community School

20) All Saints' College

Source: School Curriculum and Standards Authority, based on the percentage of 2013 Year 12 students to finish in the top 25 per cent in the state.

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Hundreds remember inseparable pair

Hundreds of people turned out to the memorial service for a Queensland mother and daughter who died in Bali.

THE MOTHER and daughter who tragically died in Bali have been remembered as inseparable who treated everyday as an adventure

Noelene Gaye Bischoff and her daughter Yvana Jean Yuri Bischoff were farewelled in a memorial at the Caloundra Citylife Baptist church on Thursday morning with hundreds of family and friends remembering the pair's love of travel, horse-riding and belly-dancing.

Noelene Bischoff, 54, and Yvana, 14, from the Sunshine Coast, died on Saturday less than 24 hours after arriving on the Indonesian island.

The cause of death isn't known at this stage, but there has been speculation a toxic fish caused them to fall fatally ill.

MUM AND DAUGHTER WERE NOT ILL, SAYS BALI DRIVER

BODIES WILL BE FLOWN TO QUEENSLAND FOR AUTOPSY

Friends, family and Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie attended the memorial service.

Yvana has been described as a high achiever who had won maths, science and English awards.

A memorial service has been held for Noelene and Yvana Bischoff at Caloundra CityLife Baptist Church. Picture: Adam Armstrong Adam

Kevin Bowe, Noelene's brother-in-law, delivered the eulogy and said when school holidays came around the pair loved to travel.

"They leave us with great memories of two very energetic people," he said.

"She (Yvana) was the type of girl who never sat still, always happy to be doing something whether it be swimming, belly-dancing, walking, training the dogs, riding horses and helping with the housework.

"Both girls enjoyed each other's company and were always out and about be it at coffee and cakes at their local shops or sometimes takeaway and a walk on the beach."

Mr Bowe  explained the devotion the two had to each other since Yvana's birth.

"She was a bit of a handful and would only accept Noelene,'' Mr Bowe said.

"Even if you looked at her, she'd start screaming.

Bischoff family spokesman Mal Brough thanks the community for their support in the wake of the deaths of Noelene and Yvana Bischoff in Bali.

"The were the best of friends and a pleasure to be around.'

Noelene was a dedicated nurse who had grown up around Gatton before a sea change to care for her mother on the Sunshine Coast while her daughter Yvana was a horse-lover who dreamt of becoming a vet.

A memorial service has been held for Noelene and Yvana Bischoff at Caloundra CityLife Baptist Church. Picture: Adam Armstrong Adam Source: CourierMail

Caloundra Hospital work colleague Linda King said all the staff knew Yvana, with her regularly ringing the hospital to say good night and good morning to her mother working on night shift.

"They always lived in laughter, always laughter," Ms King said.

Adrienne Cremin, whose son John was Yvana's half-brother, said the family may not have been "ordinary" but was instead "extraordinary".

"We will all miss Noelene and Yvana for the rest of our lives but nothing will change the fact that due to Noelene my son has a sister and our love for her will never change," she said.

Yvana and Noelene "always lived in laughter, always laughter" said one friend

Ms Cremin was contacted by Noelene about five years ago, telling her of their family bond.

"A normal family, clearly not, an extraordinary family, you bet," she said.

School friend Clare Anker said Yvana was a compassionate person and the deaths of the teen and her mother have shaken the small school.

"She was so intelligent, everything at her feet,'' Ms Anker said.

"She was just one of the nicest people I've ever met.

"Always smiling, just had a bright future.

Twelve hours before their deaths, Sunshine Coast mum and daughter Noelene and Yvana Bischoff laughed and joked with waitstaff over a seafood lunch.

Bali pair weren't ill, says driver Source: Supplied

Once Yvana grew up, the two would belly dance, kayak and holiday together.

They'd enjoyed many trips together, until their fateful Bali getaway.

Meanwhile, Indonesian police won't release their bodies until they can rule out criminal activity in their deaths.

The cause of death isn't known at this stage, but there is speculation toxic fish caused them to fall fatally ill.

Indonesian authorities initially agreed to the family's request for the bodies to be flown to Queensland for autopsies.

But lead Detective Adnan Pandibu says local police now want to continue their investigation after finding 29 types of medication in the Bischoffs' hotel room.

Queensland's coroner will investigate the deaths of a Queensland mother and daughter who fell ill in Bali.

"We have not ruled out criminal activity and we will not yet allow the release of the bodies from the morgue,'' he told the Daily Mail.

Antar-Bangsa Funeral Service, who was contacted by Australian authorities about transporting the bodies, says there has been a delay.

"For now we're not sure, we haven't heard anything after we were first contacted (by Australian authorities),'' spokesman Agus Prababe told AAP.

"We don't know what's happened.''

Bali taxi driver Kadek Budi has told how he drove Ms Bischoff and her daughter around on their last day alive.

He said when he dropped them off at their hotel, they were healthy and happy.

"She said 'thank you, we are very happy today, you are a good driver and after the Gili Islands, when I am back in Seminyak, I will call you again','' Mr Budi told News Corp Australia.

Noelene and Yvana were inseparable

``She was very friendly, the conversation was good and I thought I would see her again, and drive her again.''

Mother, daughter die on Bali holiday

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