Pubdate: Fri, 15 Jan 1999
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 1999 David Syme & Co Ltd 
Website: http://www.theage.com.au/
Contact:  A12
Author: Leanne Shingles

A NEW APPROACH TO THE DRUG PROBLEM

Melinda Jones (12/1) is right when she says that people make a choice
to turn to drugs for relief. We all have our drugs of choice, whether
it is cigarettes, a bottle of red with dinner, a bit of smack or a
nice cup of tea. But you cannot choose to be addicted.

Physical and mental addiction is the unfortunate downside to our
pursuit of relief, relaxation and pleasure. Our drugs of choice are
the chisels with which we knock the hard edges off life. We should
have sympathy for heroin addicts.

I agree that creating a society of drug addicts is not the answer, but
heroin use in Australia has flourished despite its illegality.
Prohibition is no longer the best solution.

If the possibility of death or imprisonment doesn't deter people from
using illicit substances, then nothing will. To accept this argument
is not to admit defeat, but to accept the reality of human nature.

Let's develop new strategies, and review our social policies, rather
than wasting resources on more of the same.

LEANNE SHINGLES,
Preston
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