OUR DRUGS POLICY CLEARLY NOT WORKING

AFTER working in Civic for over a year, I am appalled at the
increasing number of junkies on every corner.

I have lost count of the times I have been approached for money. I
have lost count of the times I have seen deals exchanged in soft-drink
cups outside food shops.

I have lost count of the times I have seen junkies vomit over the
sidewalk. I have lost count of the times I have seen unconscious
bodies slumped in the gutter.

To add insult to injury, they receive dole cheques from our taxes,
they live in homes provided by our taxes, they steal from our stores,
our cars, and break into our homes to support their filthy habits.
Personally, I'd like to see a no-tolerance approach to the problem,
but I can see that the same old problem still remains. As long as
heroin remains illegal and supplied by dealers, the junkies will steal
and assault to support their habits - there are no morals left at this
stage of addiction.

If the Government were to produce and supply heroin to addicts, that
then would cut out the need for dealers entirely. It could also solve
the problem of addicts overdosing, as the quality of heroin could be
controlled. Break-ins and hold-ups would decrease, as addicts would no
longer need to pay dealers. If we are going to introduce a shooting
room, then we should also supply the drug. The current system is not
working, and as long as we ignore the real issues, then the problems
will just worsen.

K. ASHFORD
Griffith, ACT