PAT ON THE BACK

I wrote to the Letters page in January 1998 out of sheer frustration.

I was helping some young heroin addicts fulfil a New Year's resolution to
give up their drug of addiction.

I was at the stage with the detoxed young people where I desperately needed
guidance on how to help them stay off heroin.

The day my letter was published I received wonderful, encouraging responses
from media, politicians, experts in the field of drugs and alcohol and
other readers of this page.

Then I found myself writing regularly on drug issues to preserve my sanity.

Trying to conquer an insidious addiction to heroin is a revolving-door
process and, as carer and supporter, I sometimes felt I was the one going
crazy. Having to think to construct a letter helped me overcome some sense
of impotence.

Now I do not need to write and I am involved in other projects but I have
developed a penchant for always reading the letters page and occasionally
still write to express my opinion.

I would like to thank the Herald Letters page and the readers for helping
me through a very difficult time in my life.

And thank you, Mr Douglas Reeve (Letters, April 21), for asking.

Elly Inta, Ashfield. April 22