THE GREAT NEED IS FOR DETOXFICATION

ACCORDING to Assisting Drug Dependants Incorporated about 200 people are in
need of an injecting place each day ("Safe injecting place likely 'mid-year'
", CT, 3 April, p.3).

It follows that about 200 people who inject daily, and an undisclosed number
who inject less frequently or who already have an injecting place, are in
urgent need of detoxification and support to remain drug free.

Assisting Drug Dependants Incorporated and ACT Health Minister Michael Moore
might direct their energies towards ensuring that detoxification and follow
up is immediately available to all in need and that new procedures are fully
investigated.

Safe injecting rooms will merely perpetuate the problem.

Procedures aimed at curing the addiction will have widespread support,
except from the pushers.

GERALDINE SPENCER
Braddon