Fluoride Newsletter - January 2008
I hope you have all been able to look at our website now. Julian has done an excellent job in delivering and updating the site.
Recent News
The latest press release failed to get a mention in any of the papers I saw. I have written to the Times and Star commenting on their failure to publish information that local people should know but it would be much more powerful if others contacted the editor Steve Johnstone and let him know local people do want information about fluoride. This can be a private communication, it doesn't have to be published.
Contents of the Press Release were....
For the third time since the York Review (2000) leading scientists have gone public with their concerns about the government's [aka Dept. of Health's] determination to introduce water fluoridation on a wider scale. In a recent edition of the British Medical Journal they accused the D.o.H of using the York findings "selectively, to give an over-optimistic assessment of the evidence in favour of fluoridation." Sir Iain Chalmers, editor of the James Lind Library, which was set up to help people understand the evidence base of medicine, KK Cheng, professor of epidemiology at Birmingham University, and Trevor Sheldon, professor and pro-vice-chancellor at York University, say there is not enough evidence either way.
They accuse the government of "one-sided handling of the evidence" and add that "the Department of Health's objectivity is questionable", pointing out that until last year it funded the British Fluoridation Society, set up in 1969 to push for fluoride to be added to water supplies in more areas.
Their criticism is at odds with the last communication received from Workington MP Tony Cunningham.
Mr Cunningham wrote: "The Labour Government does believe in giving choice and where possible devolving power. Research indicates that the fluoridation of water helps prevent tooth decay."
After seven unproductive years in which Mr Cunningham voted for fluoridation in Parliament and then failed to protect our right to any community consultation or choice, we have concluded that it is simply a waste of our time and energy. Please do write to Mr Cunningham as we have done and express your dissatisfaction with his support for fluoridation and his inability to deliver even his own limited position of community choice in this matter.
Postcard campaign
The campaign continues and postcards can now be obtained from the Banyan Tree on Main Street, Cockermouth. Any suggestions for other outlets, pubs, shops, businesses welcome. Mary has taken on the task of organising some street signing of the cards and would be delighted to hear from anyone who could spare a couple of hours once a month.
It would be great if it were possible to have a monthly session (2 hours max) in Workington, Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Maryport (or any other location in the area.) From experience this is a popular cause on the streets and I find 80% of people approached sign. If you could give some time to undertake this please contact us (details below) We will be doing some street signing on Sat January 26th, 10-12am in Cockermouth or Workington so please do consider if you can spare an hour or two then.
If a public approach feels too daunting then please consider taking cards and circulating them amongst family or workplace. Our approach is to request signatures and addresses on cards then we collect and send in batches of 7 to the Dept of Health. This is an easy and effective way to communicate to this Dept. that local people object to being treated with fluoride. At present the stock response from the Health Minister and D.o.H is that fluoridated areas are happy with the current situation as they receive few complaints.
Talks
If you belong to or know of a group that would like more information then I would be happy to come and outline both the history and current situation . After three decades of local fluoridation most of those resident for that period will have accumulated high levels of fluoride in the body already so it is an issue that affects all. I don't have personal transport (except bike!) so that will have to be taken into account.
As ever, contact (01768 774026) or (01900 813378).
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