BAD MOVE ON DRUGS

THE editorial "The drug cancer" (NH 24/3) is a good example of how short
memories are.

The Newcastle Herald has swung its support behind the re-introduction of
specialist police drug units on the basis of a report commissioned by the
Police Service.

One could be forgiven for thinking that the Royal Commission into the NSW
Police Service had never occurred.

This unprecedented inquiry into police corruption clearly identified
specialist units — especially the drug squads — as the key site of
infection.

The fundamental reform recommendation was to abolish such units to limit
opportunities for corrupt practice to establish a foothold in the Police
Service.

The uncritical welcoming of this initiative by The Herald flies in the face
of the base conclusion of the Royal Commission.

As the editorial correctly states, "drug crime has spread like a cancer
through our communities".

Surely the starting point is to ensure that the State's frontline defence
remains immune from that cancer.

The establishment of specialist drug units in fact invites the infection.

Chris Dodds, Islington