HINCH SHOULD DO HIS HOMEWORK

SIR -- Before Mr Hinch accuses anyone of lying, I think it's important
we know whether he is coming from a position of information or
sensationalism.

Based on his statements regarding injecting facilities, I think he
hasn't done his homework and read the current research; or he has paid
it scant attention.

If Mr Hinch had read the Drug Policy Expert Committee Report, he would
know the purpose of this strategy is to help deal with the open street
traide - a trade which is particularly concentrated in those five
municipalities which have been identified as potential sites.

So it may be inappropriate to place injecting facilities in regional
centres where there is a less concentrated street drug trade.

If Mr Hinch had read the report, he would also know the injecting
rooms are not being forced on the people of Melbourne, but are the
subject of intense local community consultation.

If he'd properly read the VicHealth Community Attitudes Survey, which
found 64 per cent of residents in those areas earmarked for injecting
rooms supported the strategy, he would realise his attempt to
undermine this research is seriously flawed.

The VicHealth survey used proper research methodologies, including a
large research population and stratified sampling.

I would suggest respondents to Mr Hinch's Internet site are not nearly
as representative.

Drug policy issues must be decided on the basis of informed opinion
and research.

While I am saddened by Mr Hinch's clear lack of compassion for those
affected by drug abuse, I respect everyone is entitled to their opinion.

However, I do think this opinion should be at the very least be made
from an informed position.

KAREN VALENTINE,
Kew