BIASED DRUG FORUM DESTINED TO PUSH ONE-SIDED VIEW

THE report by Nick Higgins in The Border Mail (February 8) on the drug
forum scheduled for March 2 should be of concern to all Border residents as
the format of the forum is biased towards promotion of the harm
minimisation model of combating drug abuse.

This model has received more than its share of advocacy in the media,
indeed Nick Higgins has previously suggested the trialing of "safe"
injecting rooms is an option worth pursuing, so called "safe" injecting
rooms being a controversial and prominent recommendation of the Pennington
report.

For the past 15 years we have experienced a social experiment of
normalising mind-altering drugs that is a massive failure.

Drug "experts" who support drug normalisation and maintaining addicts on
drugs have proved that their way does not work.

These drug "experts" now admit an explosion in the numbers of addicts, drug
deaths, drug related crime, and crime victims.

Our community needs a new drug strategy based on the world's best practice
in reducing drug use.

The drug policies of Sweden, Singapore and some parts of USA, have been
successful in reducing drug use.

Sweden has drug use rates five times lower than in Australia.

Accordingly, there is an urgent need to present the other side of the
debate, the case for demand reduction, harm prevention and the
rehabilitation of drug addicts to a drug-free state of existence.

Our democratic system depends on the free exchange of data, ideas and
commentaries so that the authorities are presented with the relevant
information on which decisions are made.

The drug forum, as currently organised, will fall far short of this,
stifling dissent and representing a one-sided view.

The politicians promoting the forum are either deluded, or should hold
their heads in shame.

It is opportune to demand a fair hearing for all, an action I recommend.

PETER RYAN, YARRAWONGA