Pubdate: Thu, 25 May 2000
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Author: Christopher Hine

MAYBE WE SHOULD LEGALISE DRUGS

DRUGS are something that, as a future father, I abhor.

There is not much else in this world that can get my blood boiling like 
tobacco, heroin, cocaine, etc. While I worry that my child may turn to 
drugs, what is even more worrying is that my future son/daughter may catch 
AIDS/HIV, hepatitis or any number of other diseases from a shared needle 
used in the garden shed of a mate's place.

Hence, even though I utterly and entriely despise drugs, I find myself 
agreeing with the development of a safe injecting place that will provide 
clean needles, help in case of overdoses and any other service possible. 
Also, I think that maybe these drugs should be legalised.

Parents around the country will be up in arms about how every child will 
become addicted and become a criminal, but responsible drug use starts in 
the home at an early age with education.

Unlike so many of my peers, I rarely get "totalled" but I do enjoy a glass 
or two of red with some meals because, from an early age, my parents warned 
me about the dangers of drugs, in particular alcohol and tobacco.

If drugs were legalised, responsibility would then fall on to parents to 
educate their children about drugs and the dangers of their misuse.

Maybe this is why drugs will never be legalised in our current society.

Christopher Hine, Chifley
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