CIVIL LIBERTARIANS SHOULD GET OUT OF THE WAY

In rejecting new powers for police in the fight against drugs (Herald,
March 29), Cameron L. Murphy, of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, and
Nick Meagher, of the NSW Law Society, obviously believe the maxim, "Better
100 drug pushers in their deadly trade on the street than one innocent man
be convicted".

Mr Murphy, in particular, has a problem with police being able to conduct
medical examinations of those suspected of hiding drugs inside their
person, and drug dogs will be deployed against the public for random searches.

Isn't this exactly what the Australian Customs Service does every day at
Sydney airport?

The only solution Mr Murphy offers is education. No matter how well people
are educated, they can and will be tempted to engage in unlawful and
anti-social practices.

The temptation to use drugs is only possible if drugs are available.

The new police powers are clearly aimed at suppliers and their supply lines.

The law-abiding public are tired of paying for the drug problem and want it
cleaned up.

Posturing, barrow-pushing civil libertarians with no solutions are part of
the problem and should get out of the way.

Ian M. Campbell, Mosman, March 29.