DRUG DEPENDENCE HARDLY HEALTHY

IN SUGGESTING that stronger marijuana is a healthy alternative to weak
marijuana (Letters, 2 April), Robert Sharpe, of the Lindesmith Centre -
Drug Policy Foundation (of America), should have told us his organisation's
philosophy is to remove criminal penalties from personal use of illicit
drugs, presumably including heroin, cocaine and the like.

According to a 1999 report by the National Alcohol and Drug Research Centre
we have in Australia about 200,000 dependent cannabis users. Who wants to
join (for health reasons, of course) their ranks - either on a weak or
strong basis. Mostly about a different drug, but in the same edition (p.4),
there's a graphic story of the futility of the "harm minimisation" approach
at Bega Court, including a woman, a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old with
needle-stick injuries, unlocked laundries providing 24-hour injecting
facilities, and so on.

It is clear that what is being minimised is the health of the residents.
Once again Mr Moore is reported as taking the matter seriously and being
disturbed at the extent of the problem.

COL PARRETT
Kingston