NO WAY TO TREAT DRUG PROBLEM

The federal and state police are to be congratulated for their recent
success in arresting drug dealers in Queensland and Victoria and
confiscating millions of dollars of drugs. Despite these successes, people
still are calling for free heroin for addicts. I understand their argument
about crime and safety but it does not stand up to realistic scrutiny.

If free heroin is to be supplied to addicts, is there to be an age limit?
Will we give free heroin to 14 year olds? Will their parents be told? If
only addicts are to receive free heroin, will casual users accelerate their
usage and declare themselves addicted to obtain free access? Will free
supply for addicts condemn users to a life controlled by drugs?

What about ecstasy and LSD? These drugs are widely available and used by
teenagers. Will we offer them free as well?

Do we really want a society where drug dealers make millions of dollars by
destroying the minds and bodies of our youth and our pathetic response is to
give free drugs to those at the bottom of the barrel?

Only when drugs become un-available will young people become drug-free. It
is pointless spending millions of dollars on anti-drug campaigns while drug
pushers rule our streets, schools and entertainment venues. Let's get
serious and allocate more money to apprehending drug dealers.

Barry Kearney. Park Orchards. October 22

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst