ATTACK DRUG TAKING

I commend John Howard's positive actions to inform, warn and advise parents
concerning the dangers of drugs. The initiative comes amid a sea of
policies which are directed to treating and dealing with existing victims -
users and addicts.

Since the 1960s there has been a drug epidemic sweeping Australia. We are
now a top user. Any epidemic calls for two targets.

The priority is to attack causes and reduce the epidemic. The secondary
target is to treat those infected to contain the spread of the infection.

Positive actions are being concentrated on the latter - injecting rooms,
rehabilitation and drug courts. Mr Beazley's drug policy promotes the use
of legal heroin. But unless we attack drug taking before commencement,
there will be more victims and addicts to treat.

Parents are in a special position to influence their children but most are
ignorant about the dangers of drugs and what best to do.

This should not be a matter for party politics. Our future is at stake.
Everyone must unite to deal with this epidemic. And the best way is to
dissuade our young from commencement and experimentation.

Athol Moffitt, Killara, March 26.