From the April 2004 Idaho Observer:

New South Wales reclassifies fluoride as a poison

U.S. cities still pushing poison on water drinkers

SYDNEY, Australia -- The Australian Fluoridation Information Network (AFIN) reported March 27, 2004, that the government of New South Wales has reclassified fluoride as a poison. “As a result, Ballina Shire Council is recommending scrapping its practice of providing over-the-counter fluoride tablets and fluoride drops,” AFIN spokesman Tom Ascher said.

Water fluoridation is the subject of controversy in the U.S. Some cities are getting fluoride into water as fast as others are being forced to remove it.

Citizen groups in Billings, Montana and Spokane, Washington, have successfully blocked recent attempts by public health officials to begin adding the carcinogenic, mutagenic, neurotoxic cumulative poison to local water supplies.

Salt Lake City recently began fluoridating its water. No vote was taken in this case, city leaders just decided to do it even though they were presented with ample evidence that water fluoridation is a public health disaster.

From AFIN: Years ago, non-prescription Sodium Fluoride tablets were supplied in Australia with 'S5 Schedule under the poisons act' printed on the label - as was fluoride toothpaste.

In 1973, 2-year-old Jason Burton of Queensland died of fluoride poisoning from ingesting at the one time no more than 6 fluoride tablets.

The death was never reported in any medical or dental journal throughout the world.

When the National Health & Medical Research Council [conveniently?] decided that fluoride toothpaste was a toiletry the 'S5 Schedule' wording was removed.

In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required toothpaste to carry the warning: “Use only a pea-sized amount and supervise child's brushing and rinsing [to minimize swallowing]. The warning instructed parents to keep toothpaste “out of the reach of children under 6 years of age,” adding the precautionary message “if the child swallows more than a pea-sized amount, contact a Poison Control Center immediately.”

In a recent letter, US dentist Dr. Debra Hopkins wrote: “Fluoride for ingestion is a prescription medication that should be dispensed by licensed medical/dental professionals...” and “... A warning on toothpaste tubes states: Keep out of reach of children under 6 years of age. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.”

While a state in Australia has reclassified fluoride as a poison, the Spokane County Health District is currently advertising the benefits of water fluoridation in preparation for another attempt to fluoridate 500,000 people in the area.