GLOVES OFF ON DRUGS

WHY do government and other agencies insist on liaising with other
countries such as America, Switzerland and the Netherlands when seeking a
solution on dealing with Australia's drug problem?

It would make more sense to deal with countries that are having the greater
success - China, Malaysia, Singapore.

It is said that you need to be cruel to be kind. So start in Melbourne with
a bus picking up the obvious drug addicts and taking them out to the
countryside where there is a kibbutz-style establishment staffed by
doctors, nurses and social workers.

There they should receive therapy in many forms. For example, transactional
analysis, productive work and discipline - for discipline leads to
self-discipline.

They should be kept there until they have a better attitude and more
productive lifestyle.

On the other side of the coin, drug dealers should be charged with murder
and attempted murder. When a victim is found dead in the streets, a
hypodermic needle alongside the body, a life has been taken as surely as
someone had shot them.

These purveyors of death should go to prison, but not a three-star prison
with TV, good meals, recreation and rights.

It should more akin to an Asian or Chinese-style prison, staffed by guards
who don't know about kid-glove treatment.

If you disagree, don't worry. It will not happen.

I am convinced that whoever controls the opium controls the outcome, and
since they are not concerned about your children, parents, you've got a
problem.

Clive Billington, Mildura