Source: Canberra Times (Australia)
Contact:  http://www.canberratimes.com.au/
Pubdate: 6 Nov 1998
Author: Vicki Salkin

THE ONLY SOLUTION IS NOT TO TAKE DRUGS

PEOPLE IN favour of the installation of safe injecting places in Canberra
might do well to consider the following: The problem for young people and
other drug users in Canberra is taking the drugs at all, so a place should
not be provided for them to do so.

We must not convey to people, especially young people, that it is safe to
take drugs, when it is not. "Safe" and "injecting" is a contradiction in
terms, when it comes to drugs like heroin.

We need to be giving people, especially young people, the "no" message,
instead of "do it, but safely". To say no to drugs is the safest and most
workable solution.

Politicians in NSW have reportedly rejected the concept of safe injecting
places.

VICKI SALKIN Lyneham

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Checked-by: Mike Gogulski