CLEAN, PROUD AND UPSTANDING

I can proudly say that after 24 years clean, I am an upstanding member of
the community and participate in voluntary work to give back some of what I
have been given.

At 50, I am grateful to be alive. Yes, like all addicts I was a drag on
society, but like the ones you never hear about it, there was a time when I
faced my demons and I did it without any other drugs to ease the journey.

I couldn't have done it without the help and support of many along the way.

I, too, don't like the idea of propping up addicts with drugs, but I would
rather have somewhere for addicts to go to use than see them shooting up
outside my window, or seeing dirty syringes in the gutter for kids to pick up.

There is no easy solution and we need to remain as open-minded and
non-judgmental as we can while we come to grips with this societal problem.

By the way, I think alcoholics have free using rooms. They are called pubs.
I don't hear many people shouting for them to close and we have more
problems with alcohol than drugs.

Kate Rowe, Petersham, April 16.