PM'S STAND ON DRUGS

Why on earth does the Prime Minister object to a drug trial that will
save lives? Although it has been shown to be effective in Switzerland
and Germany, and has the substantial support of the religious, legal
and medical fraternities in Australia, he persists in accepting only
those programs with a toleration of zero.

He will reiterate that old, worn-out cliche, "it sends the wrong
message". But what young person would consider it would be fun to
start taking heroin in a medically supervised clinic? As for those
already hooked, the very nature of addiction means that they don't
have much choice and need all the help we can give them.

Could it be that he fears that the trial may succeed? If medically
supervised clinics were found to be effective in saving the lives of
our young addicts, he would be found to be wrong - and would look a
"right Charlie" as a consequence.

Joan Kersey,
Vaucluse