Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jun 2000
Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 Canberra Times
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Author: John E. Miller

WE SHOULD HELP YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET OFF DRUGS

THERE are many serious concerns regarding injecting rooms. In working with
people with drug addictions, we believe there is a considerable risk that
drug usage could increase, with resulting problems, following a Government
heroin imprimatur.

Robert Macklin ridicules Paul Osborne's proposals to reduce Canberra's drug
problems (CT June 23, "Capital Times") and again (CT, June 24, p.C2) he
denigrates others including the Salvation Army.

Even from a zealous anti-Christian, that is unwarranted, considering they
have been caring for, and rehabilitating, people with addictions for 135
years.

Rather than attacking Dave Rugendyke (CT, June 25, Editorial) who is
representing the views of many in Canberra, your paper could provide more
balance by outlining the Swedish drug experience. Australia has 2.2 times
Sweden's population and 16 times Sweden's heroin users. Sweden uses a
strategy ridiculed by Macklin. Once started down this heroin-liberalisation
path, "compassionate" pleas for more injecting rooms and government-supplied
heroin (foreshadowed by Michael Moore in 1996), will be the inevitable next
steps.

We should be offering young people drug freedom and hope, rather than
risking the enabling and worsening of our current drug-related tragedy.

John E. Miller
Australian Christian Coalition
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