LEAVE DRUG ISSUE TO EXPERTS

CONGRATULATIONS to Reverend Harry Herbert on his letter (NDL, February 17).
He has an understanding of the drug problem found wanting in Mr Warren
Woodley and others.

I would recommend that Mr Woodley read Methadone Maintenance Treatment and
other Opiod Replacement Therapies by Jeff Ward, Richard P. Mattick and Wayne
Hall. He should also read Treatment Approaches for Alcohol and Drug
Dependence, an Introductory Guide by Tracey J. Jarvis, Jenny Tebbutt and
Richard P. Mattick. He can also come to my pharmacy where I will give him
the free drug booklets that I give to people with drug problems of their own
or with a family member.

Statements by Mr Woodley and others who preach zero tolerance show their
arrogance and complete lack of understanding of the methadone and naltrexone
(the new synthetic convener of oxymorphone acting as a competitive
antagonist at opiate receptor site) programs and the need for education.

Walking through town waving placards, yelling no drugs does nothing for the
drug problem and benefits no one.

I have counselled those who have turned to drugs to escape religious
domination, failure to reach expectations, physical, emotional and sexual
abuses that have to be addressed before the person can become strong enough
to cope. I. Goor is aware of these reasons but is put down by some although
she is right.

Keep up the good work Mr Herbert. Let's hope the bandwagon people have a
flat.

I hope, as Mr Herbert does, that Mr Woodley and company keep quiet and leave
things to the experts and their helpers.

Anti-drug is good, anti those helping with drug addiction is inhumane.

Peter Orr,
Pharmacist,
Tamworth