Pubdate: Sat, 05 Aug 2000
Source: Border Mail (Australia)
Contact:  http://www.bordermail.com.au/
Author: Dawn Williams, Wodonga

DRUG ISSUE NEEDS SOUND IDEAS

TAKE 25,000 parachutes manufactured by Dodgy Bros, fatally flawed but
packed attractively.

Give one to each heroin addict in Victoria, take them up to 40,000
feet above Bass Strait and push them out the door.

How many will be saved?

That's about as sensible as arguments for legal-safe injecting
rooms.

We don't know what the answer is so we'll do anything, regardless of
the ramifications.

Elizabeth Mann (The Border Mail, August 2) made several pertinent
points.

Those who have made the journey from the depths of addiction to become
respected citizens are to be commended for their courage to quit.

Surely, rehabilitation facilities with qualified counselling and medical 
staff would better serve to assist those who genuinely want help.

Yes, we should learn from other countries.

Studies continue to show that injecting rooms do not decrease drug
use, drug deaths, illegal drug trade or crime rate.

In fact the opposite appears to be the case in some instances.

The only country making any headway in its fight against this scourge
is Sweden with a zero-tolerance policy on drugs.

And what message are we sending our young.

That it's okay to try drugs, and maybe become addicted, safe in the
knowledge that society and our governments will ensure you have
financial and medical support for as long as you choose to use.

You are correct, Elizabeth, it is not a logical step and I stand by my
views in my earlier letter.

I, too, would welcome more public debate on this issue in the hope
that our fearless leaders will heed the opinions of the majority and
not just those of a select few.

The Border Mail (August 2) carried a story on the Chiltern Bush
Nursing Hospital and its financial struggles.

It needs assistance with something as unimportant as its water
supply.

Those who control the purse strings should have another look at their
priority list before they get too carried away with taxpayers' money.
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