RBT GOOD EXAMPLE OF HARM MINIMISATION

WHEN reading of Athol Moffit's attack on the 'harm minimisation'
approach to illicit drug use (CT, August 22, p.13) I was amazed that
he could cite the relative success of random breath testing as support
for his 'zero tolerance' attitude.

Random breath testing is actually a good example of harm minimisation.
Rather than ban alcohol altogether or even ban drink driving
absolutely, the various Australian governments have arrived at a
sensible compromise which has now saved many lives.

The only real beneficiary of the 1920s American experiment with zero
tolerance of alcohol was Al Capone. Major drug dealers are profiting
similarly from our current 'war against drugs' which Moffitt himself
admits is 90 per cent lost.

GEOFF PAGE
Narrabundah

Checked-by: Patrick Henry