I think it disturbing that you should pen so misleading and alarmist
an editorial as you did on Aug 22, "Legalising drugs will cure
nothing". Why suggest that Sydney is a place where heroin is
distributed free to anyone who walks in (shooting galleries where
addicts can walk in and receive their drug free)? The project you
refer to is an injecting room trial that will be evaluated and could
continue if successful.

Why infer that the idea is ill conceived with comments such as "Those
who use the facility will be screened on entry for what it is not
clear"? A trial should be run as rigorously as possible and, like any
trial, will have constraints and require data collection. I am sure
those conducting the trial would be happy to answer any constructive
questions you may wish to ask.

Why revert to conspiracy theories when HIV and illicit drug use are of
such concern? The Reverend Herbert was quite clear when interviewed on
ABC Radio at the weekend: The trial is about saving lives. Dr Ingrid
Van Beek would share that view, given her many years work at the
Kirketon Road Centre in Kings Cross, where the goal is to reach out to
and help those with chronic drug addiction, yet often see them die.

Shouldn't we be carefully testing any potentially beneficial approach
we can? The main question about this bold initiative is not whether it
has a sinister motive but whether it can contribute to a decline in
drug overdose deaths and HIV infections.

The main question for Thailand is: Will it work? We should be
monitoring the situation and carefully examining the trial outcome. If
it works, we should look at how it might be applied here where the
problems are even greater.

Thailand should be bold and innovative in its approach to the very
real problems of drug addiction and HIV/Aids. Put public health and
concern for all Thai people first. There is no need to condone the use
of illicit drugs but have a care for those already addicted; stop
overdose deaths and develop new drug treatment programmes.

Gray Sattler