Pubdate: Sun, 03 Jun 2001 Source: Canberra Times (Australia) Copyright: 2001 Canberra Times Contact: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/71 Author: Peter Watney BATTLE WITH HEROIN PETER Clack has reported Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty's belief that the Australian struggle against heroin is being won. Success has been attributed to the seizures of heroin resulting from Operation Avian. Recent extraordinary weather has allegedly decimated raw opium yields and, consequently, heroin production in both the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle. If true, that would better explain a heroin shortage in Australia. Drug-war rhetoric will not solve the dangers of drug abuse. The theory that Operation Avian causes the heroin drought is difficult to sustain. PETER WATNEY, Holt - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens