Pubdate: Mon, 17 Apr 2000
Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Illawarra Newspapers
Contact:  http://mercury.illnews.com.au/
Author: Shirley Filippe

BY GEORGE, YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW THE FACTS

GEORGE, you're stealing the limelight again (Mercury, March 30, "Park 
plaque but no Pottsy").

Mr Harrison, get your minder to work. He should have given you the facts, 
after all you weren't in office when this project was started but his wife 
was a councillor through the planning stages. Mr Harrison, your comments 
about this young man are disgusting. Our Commonwealth Government, the 
Salvation Army and other charities are spending billions of dollars trying 
to help our young drug addicts. Your remarks were about a young man who was 
trying to kick the habit by becoming a member of the Labor Party (your 
party) and Neighbourhood Committees - can't you give him credit for trying.

Mr Harrison, do we have to take down Whiteley's paintings, take Michael 
Hutchinson's records from music stores and destroy high-profile movie 
stars' films as they are sending the wrong message to our youth?

The NSW Government is the one sending the wrong message to our youth with 
injecting rooms and children allowed to carry more drugs than adults.

George, you passed judgment on this young man without knowing the facts 
(your quote). There is a very old saying: There but for the grace of God go I.

This terrible drug problem could affect any family at anytime. This young 
man's death could also show our youth drugs kill and the youth using the 
skating park would have a constant reminder of what can happen with drug use.

Shirley Filippe, West Wollongong
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