SOCIETY'S RIGHT TO PROTECT ITSELF

If calls by prominent sleep medicine doctors such as David Joffe of Royal
North Shore Hospital can cause John Turner, MP, to propose legislation to
have "dozing drivers" taken off the road for treatment (Daily Telegraph,
December 14), then there must be even stronger grounds for a nationwide
legal requirement to have illicit drug users undergo detox and rehab for six
to nine months, at least, if voluntary agreement cannot be obtained.

After all, the outcomes of both are too often identical -- death and injury
to themselves and others. Such legislation should be seen for what it would
be: a positive way for society to protect itself, especially those likely to
lose their self-respect and physical and mental health.

Col Parrett, Kingston, ACT