Pubdate: Wed, 28 Oct, 1998
Source: Herald Sun (Australia)
Page: 20
Copyright: News Limited 1998
Contact:  http://www.heraldsun.com.au/
Author: Barry Kearney

FIGHT BACK, SAY NO TO DRUGS

CONGRATULATIONS to federal and state police for recent success in
making many arrests and confiscating millions of dollars of drugs.

Despite these great successes, people are still calling for free
access to heroin for addicts.

I understand their argument concerning crime and safety, but it does
not stand up to any realistic scrutiny.

If free heroin is to be supplied to addicts, is there to be an age
limit?

Will we give free heroin to 14-year-olds?  Will their parents be told?
If only addicts are receiving free heroin, will casual users
accelerate their use and declare themselves addicts to obtain free
access?

Will free supply for addicts condemn users to a life controlled by
drugs? What about ecstasy and LSD, now widely available and used by
teenagers?

Will they be free as well?  Will there be an age limit?

Do we really want a society whose pathetic response to drug dealers
making millions of dollars destroying the minds and bodies of our
youth is to give free drugs to those at the bottom of the barrel?

Only when drugs are not available, will young people become drug
free.

It is pointless spending millions of dollars on anti-drug campaigns
while drug pushers rule the streets, schools and entertainment venues.

Let's get serious and allocate more money to apprehending drug
dealers.

Barry Kearney,
Park Orchards

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Checked-by: Patrick Henry