WHY WE NEED TO CHANGE DRUGS LAWS

Warwick Murphy (15/1) seems to think that because less than 2 per cent
of the population has tried heroin, prohibition is working (15/1).

Under prohibition, the heroin problem has reached epidemic proportions
worldwide. The number of people using the stuff in Australia has
increased dramatically over the past 20 years. The number of
heroin-related deaths increased from 49 in 1991 to 250 in 1997 in
Victoria alone.

The underlying conflicts that drive people to addiction compound when
they are driven to desperate acts to self-medicate, which is largely
what heroin addiction is about. Prohibition lacks insight and is a
callous policy in this regard.

It's important for the public to realise that when health
professionals advocate liberalisation laws, most are referring to
"controlled-use programs" for chronic users, not drugs on demand or
heroin being sold in shops.

As a past heroin addict of many years and past worker in the field, I
have met only one person who seemed unequivocal about their desire to
remain on heroin. The vast majority are tormented by their addiction
and yearn to be drug-free.

When I was using it in the early '70s, the quality of heroin was high
and it was cheap. At one point I remember being in possession of so
much that it frightened me into reaching out for help.

In the end, heroin did nothing to calm my inner being. No matter how
much or little I had, I was still anguished within and wanted more
than anything to be free of it.

"Controlled-use programs", like the methadone program that I was on,
won't stop this desire within users, but it will stop them from
killing themselves and hurting others. It will stabilise them and keep
them away from the scene and most will want to wean themselves off in
time.

It will also stem the epidemic tide of hepatitis C amongst users
through sharing syringes, and of course the spread of AIDS and other
transmittable diseases.

PATSY GALL,
Footscray