A GP suspended for six months for prescribing long-term benzodiazepines to more than a dozen patients with drug dependency had “good intentions”, a tribunal has found.

The doctor worked in western Sydney for more than 40 years, describing himself as a “life coach” to disadvantaged patients who had been referred by local missions and opioid treatment services.

But he was found guilty of professional misconduct for prescribing drugs of dependence, including alprazolam (Xanax), to 19 patients over a two-year period.

The patients were all on opioid treatment programs and at least 14 were drug dependent at the time of being prescribed benzodiazepines such as alprazolam.