DRUGS EXPLANATION A MUST SO WE CAN LEARN

It is good news about the drop in heroin deaths in NSW so far this year
(Herald, November 30). But Dr Darke's comment - "I don't think we have to
explain it ..." - is a bit of a worry.

Of course, we have to explain it. So that we know what the contributing
factors are, to ensure the trend continues.

Dare I suggest it is the efforts of the harm minimisation groups that are
making the difference.

Parents are better educated and have an unofficial mandate to support their
kids through their addictions. Users are better educated and less scared to
seek help when needed. The public, like a huge steamship being turned
around, is slowly being made more aware, rather than condemning, by a State
government willing to stick its neck out trialling new harm-containment
measures. And the media, by keeping drug issues as high-profile items, are
taking the lid off the secrecy, the mystery and the myths.

In the domain of public dialogue, commonsense and pragmatism are emerging.

An examination of why the overdose deaths have dropped will surely tick all
of the above.

Elly Inta, Ashfield, November 30.