THE PEOPLE DEMAND TO BE HEARD

So Dr David Penington's report has finally seen the light of day. Once again
we find a government report that could have major implications for the
community, released just before a long public holiday, in the hope of
stifling public comment on the issue.

The noises from the ivory towers of government and expert committees that
accompany this release are quite revealing. Dr Penington complains about
"noisy groups" who actually have the affront to disagree with his proposals.
Well, excuse me. Just in case you missed it we happen to live in a democracy
where this is allowed. Many of us believe that the statistics you use to
support your case are misleading and one-sided. Many of us believe that drug
users deserve better than to be encouraged in their life-destroying habits.
Many of us believe that there are indeed much better ways of dealing with
this situation than your "let's just give up" approach.

Yes, we will continue to be noisy, and it would be a good idea for
politicians of all persuasions to open their ears and hear what the people
who elected them have to say.

Warwick Murphy, Community Coalition for a Drug Free Society, Blackburn