PLEASE SUPPORT THE HEROIN TRIAL

Although it was recommended in a study by Prime Minister John Howard's
advisory council on drugs, the heroin trial is nevertheless rejected
by the Australian National Council on Drugs (Heroin trial for addicts
backed, 16/6).

It is very sad that such an authority as Salvation Army Major Brian
Watters, chairman of the council, cannot stand back from his personal
opinions and ethics in the interest of the public.

Please, Major Watters, look outside Australia to Switzerland where
this program has been used since 1994. The Swiss Federal Office of
Public Health reports, among other benefits, a drastic drop in crimes
related to drug abuse (70 per cent to 10 per cent), a considerable
reduction of HIV, Hepatitis B and C and a halving of the cost of
caring for drug addicts ($95 to $50). Of course, prevention and
protection of teenagers, and prosecution of dealers, is at the same
time practised.

In Australia since 1997, with law enforcement as the major means of
control, the number of overdose deaths has been steadily rising.
Heroin droughts, and the increasing price of heroin, are causing more
burglaries and gang violence.

No, the goal of the heroin trial isn't to supply people with illegal
drugs but to provide health and support to needy fellow citizens for
our own sake and the sake of our future generations.

Elisabeth Enz, San Remo.