Pubdate: Fri, 03 Mar 2000 Source: Herald Sun (Australia) Copyright: News Limited 2000 Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ Author: R. Connock DANGERS OF DRUG ROOMS AN alcoholic needing help may go to Alcoholics Anonymous. There, he is given help to overcome his addiction, but no alcohol. After an AA meeting he can go on his way to his next destination with no drug problem. Alcohol is legal, but people are aware that if you drink and drive you an a bloody idiot. A drug addict may go to a so-called safe injection house and inject his drug. The government body controlling this proposed project has said there will be no counselling at these places and addicts have said they want dealers nearby. Having had his injection, do you keep the addict in the place until the effects of the drug have worn off, when he will then want another hit? Or let him go to his next destination under the influence of the drug? If he goes on foot he may be a danger to himself, if by public transport he may pester or endanger others. If he is allowed to drive then this is officially condoning driving under the influence of a dangerous drug. It seems perfectly reasonable to reject most of the emotional rubbish being written and spoken about the benefits of safe injection houses. If these are run the way addicts and various do-gooders say they want them, few addicts will ever overcome their addiction. Using available resources on a drug equivalent of Alcoholics Anonymous seems a much better bet. R. CONNOCK, Hawthorn. - --- MAP posted-by: Allan Wilkinson