STATISTICS SHOW ASSERTIONS WRONG

Collis Parrett wrongly asserts that Dutch drugs policy is "discredited" and
has made Holland a "pariah". Most statistics prove the opposite, so Mr
Parrett uses anonymous avuncular quotes as "evidence".

Most policy experts agree that the Dutch approach is a successful model with
lessons for Australia. Young people in Holland use less heroin and cannabis
than those in the United States, United Kingdom or Germany. The average age
of heroin injectors is over 40. Their overdose death rate is less than 5 per
million per year compared with our rate of over 50. This translates to the
needless loss of over 500 young Australian lives each year to heroin.

I do not understand Mr Parrett's unswerving support for current
prohibitions, which have been so unsuccessful in stemming drug use and the
harms involved.

(Dr) ANDREW BYRNE General practitioner, drug and alcohol; author of
Methadone in the Treatment of Narcotic Addiction and Addict in the Family,
Redfern, NSW