Pubdate: Fri, 30 Mar 2001
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 The Sydney Morning Herald
Contact:  http://www.smh.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441
Author: Brian Francis
Note: Headline supplied by newshawk

MORE DETOX FACILITIES NEEDED NOT POLICE POWERS

Mr Carr's strategies to address the findings of the drug summit seem to be: 
grant greater powers for the police to confiscate property, detain suspects 
and conduct medical searches; close the detox units; don't replace drug and 
alcohol staff; employ more analysts.

Did we read the same report, Mr Carr?

We scream "save our kids from drugs" but when our kids fall victim to drug 
abuse we seem all too keen to degrade them further.

Central Sydney Area Health Services (CSAH) has two detox units, the 
McKinnon Unit at Rozelle Hospital and Basement 82 at Royal Prince Alfred 
Hospital. Basement 82 is now closed and the official word is that RPA Drug 
and Alcohol Services is closed until after Easter due to staff shortages.

A perusal of the Herald's employment section today shows zero 
advertisements for drug and alcohol workers in CSAH. However, for the NSW 
Health Drug Programs Bureau there are positions for two managers and 19 
different policy analysts. The total remuneration package for these 
positions is $1,393,288.

Sorry, Mr Carr, but I don't have faith that these strategies will address 
the real problem for victims of drug-related crimes, or users and their 
families.

Brian Francis, Alexandria, March 29.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D