SYDNEY MORNING HERALD IS DRUG FRIENDLY

Piers Akerman argues incisively against the drug-friendly attitude of a
certain newspaper but he is missing the point: hard drugs will always be
tolerated by governments, because only then can they adopt a
holier-than-thou attitude by introducing radical drug rehabilitation
programs and then claim the kudos for such compassionate action.

Certainly, though, rich addicts are aeons away from the sordid reality of
life on the street, not that I would condone their behaviour.

In Newtown, the council approved the establishment of a needle exchange and
residents are now paying the price -- unsavoury, aggressive addicts trawl
the streets looking for easy pickings and nothing is safe any more.

Such is the price of political expediency.

Jack O'Connor
Newtown