News (Media Awareness Project) - Australia: PUB LTE: Hinch On Drugs Just A Tantrum Of Jabber |
Title: | Australia: PUB LTE: Hinch On Drugs Just A Tantrum Of Jabber |
Published On: | 2000-07-08 |
Source: | Border Mail (Australia) |
Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 16:19:33 |
HINCH ON DRUGS JUST A TANTRUM OF JABBER
DERRYN Hinch seems to have trouble dealing with the complex issue of drug
policy.
Rather than listening to valid, pragmatic proposals that are aimed squarely
at helping him and the rest of the community, he goes off with a torrid
tantrum of confused, ill-educated, insulting and inciting jabber.
He does not seem to like "junkies".
But he would favour allowing them legal drugs, a rather courageous and
uncertain policy, while at the same time decrying a rather simple and safe
injecting room trial which may save lives, as happens overseas.
This might permit rehabilitation, an opportunity lost to all the sons and
daughters who die of overdose, which is nearly always preventable.
Hinch's monstrous diatribe is, paradoxically, a series of gross
generalisations about people whom he has actually known and loved.
But he will never know just who they are, since he would be the last person
they would confide in about their "little problem".
We now know that drug users are ordinary citizens most of the time and
cannot necessarily be recognised without doing a urine test.
The visible "junkies" Hinch sees are the exception.
And some of them are probably alcoholics, and just in need of our help and
sympathy.
Far from the "lies" claimed by Hinch, injecting rooms are widely supported
by the Australian community.
The Hinch website may not represent the average Aussie.
There was 88 per cent support in last week's South Sydney council election
and majorities are also reported from professional telephone surveys.
Referendum and election results in various parts of the world on drug law
reform have been very positive, including South Australia, California,
Holland and Switzerland.
Hinch should hitch his energies and erudite communication skills to a
winnable cause instead of flogging a dead and dying equine effigy.
(Rocking horses make little manure and raise little mud, Mr Hinch).
Andrew Byrne, Sydney GP
DERRYN Hinch seems to have trouble dealing with the complex issue of drug
policy.
Rather than listening to valid, pragmatic proposals that are aimed squarely
at helping him and the rest of the community, he goes off with a torrid
tantrum of confused, ill-educated, insulting and inciting jabber.
He does not seem to like "junkies".
But he would favour allowing them legal drugs, a rather courageous and
uncertain policy, while at the same time decrying a rather simple and safe
injecting room trial which may save lives, as happens overseas.
This might permit rehabilitation, an opportunity lost to all the sons and
daughters who die of overdose, which is nearly always preventable.
Hinch's monstrous diatribe is, paradoxically, a series of gross
generalisations about people whom he has actually known and loved.
But he will never know just who they are, since he would be the last person
they would confide in about their "little problem".
We now know that drug users are ordinary citizens most of the time and
cannot necessarily be recognised without doing a urine test.
The visible "junkies" Hinch sees are the exception.
And some of them are probably alcoholics, and just in need of our help and
sympathy.
Far from the "lies" claimed by Hinch, injecting rooms are widely supported
by the Australian community.
The Hinch website may not represent the average Aussie.
There was 88 per cent support in last week's South Sydney council election
and majorities are also reported from professional telephone surveys.
Referendum and election results in various parts of the world on drug law
reform have been very positive, including South Australia, California,
Holland and Switzerland.
Hinch should hitch his energies and erudite communication skills to a
winnable cause instead of flogging a dead and dying equine effigy.
(Rocking horses make little manure and raise little mud, Mr Hinch).
Andrew Byrne, Sydney GP
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