The attempt to open a safe injecting room at King's Cross has brought
the predictable chorus that it will "send the wrong message".

Surely the message of an injecting room is that if you are unfortunate
or silly enough to get addicted, we would rather keep you alive and
healthy than see you die on the street from overdose or disease.

I find it difficult to see anything very wrong about that message. It
conveys compassion. The approach may also be good economics.

If we are concerned about wrong messages, try this small sample:
Gambling is an acceptable industry.

Big gamblers should be supported by subsidising casinos to remit part
of their losses.

Unremitting promotion of junk food and junk toys on children's TV is a
healthy expression of the free market and free choice in action.

The way to make progress is by making as much noise as possible about
things we disagree on, while saying nothing about what we do agree on
try parliamentary Question Time.

Selling a lethal drug tobacco is fine, provided that the substance is
an "accepted" one.

Large gifts by business to political parties are entirely acceptable,
an expression of political belief (by "legal persons" that are
deliberately excluded from voting and often not even Australian!),
untainted by hope of gaining influence.

Bribery of individuals would, of course, be quite reprehensible.

If you are rich enough, it is quite acceptable to find legal ways of
avoiding contributing to the services your country provides for you.

What hypocrisy to be complicit in these messages!

A. W. W. GODFREY
Curtin