With regard to the Rev Harry J. Herbert's accusation of discourtesy
(Herald, June 14), the Rev David Manton, NSW Moderator, Uniting Church
Australia, was sent an invitation on May 1. We requested his
attendance or that of his personal representative to be a delegate for
the Uniting Church.

It is a great pity that Rev Harry did not attend but it was certainly
not by "oversight", "rudeness" or "discourtesy" on our part. We
couldn't imagine that his own congregation would overlook him. We will
ensure that a copy of all papers, recommendations and resolutions reach him.

In the meantime, the Rev Harry and your readers may like to check out
our Web site under construction www.wesleymission.org.au/drugsummit.
There, after 15 years of harm reduction policy which has seen the rise
and rise of drug use, they will find different models of effective
prevention, calls to increase access to rehabilitation rather than
shooting galleries and argument for legislation to divert addicts to
compulsory care. Zero tolerance? Certainly not. Compassionate? Most
definitely.

Deborah O'Neill,
Sponsoring Committee,
Australian Drug Summit 2000
Copacabana