SOME QUESTIONS FOR OPPONENTS

Mr P. Trickett, Convenor, People for a Drug-Free Society (ACT), has accused
the ACT Health Minister of misrepresenting the Swiss heroin trial which he
argues had a 95 per cent failure rate.

Mr Trickett's comment raises a number of questions.

(1) If the Swiss heroin trial was the disaster he claims, why did the WHO
Report of the External Evaluation of the Swiss Scientific Studies of
Medically Prescribed Narcotics conclude (in April 1999) that "there is a
need for further studies to establish objectively the differences in the
effects of these different opioids"?

The Expert Panel assembled by WHO called for more heroin trials because the
results of the Swiss study were impressive but not conclusive.

(2) Why have the Netherlands, Germany, Spain and other countries commenced
or planned heroin trials or are considering doing so?

(3) Why did 71 per cent of Swiss voters in a national referendum in
September 1997 support retention of the option of heroin prescription for
treatment refractory heroin injectors?

(4) Why does Mr Trickett not value the fact that there were no deaths from
drug overdose among 1146 subjects followed for 18 months?

(5) Why does Mr Trickett not value the substantial reduction in crime,
homelessness and unemployment observed among subjects?

(6) Bearing in mind that illicit drugs have now even been found in
Antarctica and in the possession of the notorious and closely guarded
prisoner Charles Manson, can Mr Trickett nominate a drug-free country or a
drug-free prison anywhere in the world?

Dr. A. Wodak Director, Alcohol and Drug Service St Vincent's Hospital,
Darlinghurst NSW