Laos methanol deaths: Brisbane survivor’s plea for better education

A Brisbane woman whose best friend was one of the victims of the Laos methanol poisonings has a message for Australian authorities.

Bethany Clarke lost her best friend Simone White to methanol poisoning. Picture: Lachie Millard

The best friend of a British woman who died of methanol poisoning in Laos last year has called on Australian schools to better educate students on the dangers of counterfeit alcohol.

Brisbane resident Bethany Clarke had been travelling through South-East Asia with her childhood friend Simone White and was on their second night in Vang Vieng, Laos, when their holiday quickly took a turn for the worse.

Staying at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, the two decided to take part in the hostel’s happy hour drinks, which offered free vodka and whisky shots.

The pair ended up in hospital not even 24 hours after, with Ms White suffering respiratory distress and enduring multiple seizures.

Ms White died a week later on November 21 and was one of six killed from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos last year, in an incident that also killed Australian women, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones.

“It was more just disbelief because we had all drunk the same thing,” Ms Clarke said.

“So I just kept thinking, how was that possible? I think she might have had more than me.

“I was just on the border of optic nerve damage, so if I had any more to drink or if we didn’t get any treatment, I could’ve lost my eyesight but we don’t really know.”

The 28-year-old described her best friend of more than 20 years as “friendly, kind” and someone who strived to be inclusive of everyone.

“It has been a massive shock for me to not have that support system any more,” she said.

“I would normally go to ask Simone straight away about issues, but I no longer can.”

Ms Clarke was pushing for better education on methanol in Australia and the UK, where she and Ms White grew up.

Bethany Clarke (left) with Simone White

Bethany Clarke (left) with Simone White

She had already started a petition in the UK, and was hoping to work with the families of Ms Bowles and Ms Jones in the coming months to do the same in Australia.

“It is not being taken seriously. Australian schools already have education programs about drink spiking and alcohol, but we need to start pushing for awareness on methanol. Because that could also kill you,” she said.

“It is difficult to get that message across to teenagers who might be tempted by cocktails while on holiday, so I think there needs to be some visual aid, or re-enactments on what happens when you ingest methanol in schools, so that it is actually made clear.”

AMAQ president Nick Yim said the dangers of methanol poisoning could not be overstated.

“Methanol is sometimes added to alcohol in the misguided belief that it is a cheap way to increase alcoholic content,” Dr Yim said.

“Alternatively, poor distilling processes can produce alcohol contaminated with very small amounts of methanol … just 30ml can be fatal.

“Many consumers, particularly travellers and tourists, are unaware of this risk, let alone the signs and symptoms to look out for.”

Dr Yim said Queensland schools should include open and respectful discussions about alcohol and its effects.

“AMA Queensland supports evidence-based education that equips people with accurate information and practical strategies to navigate the risks associated with alcohol consumption, particularly in foreign countries where regulations and safety standards may differ,” he said.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said his department would investigate further ways to protect young and vulnerable people from the dangers of alcohol.

Originally published as Laos methanol deaths: Brisbane survivor’s plea for better education