NO EASY FIX FOR DRUG ADDICTION

As a parent of a long-term drug addict, I must agree with Athol Moffitt in
much of his letter (August 24). In particular, his paragraph: "I suggest
our hospitals and the under-financed drug rehabilitation institutions are
in greater need of money."

My experience is that there are ridiculously few detox and rehab centres to
meet the huge needs of the ever increasing number of addicts.

The cry the addicts "must want to stop" is true to a point, but so many
take those first steps into detox and then flounder because of the lack of
staff to support them during this most vulnerable stage. Rehabilitation is
a long, slow process, nine to 12 months, for which the immediate family,
despite a willingness to support the process, is not trained to cope.

It appears our efforts to stop the importation of heroin are making little
impact on the number of users. We must therefore try to help those who are
addicted to find a better life. This takes time, understanding, dedication
and money.

Safe injecting houses, controlled heroin distribution, legalisation of
heroin, methadone clinics - it's all the same in the end. You are still an
addict, and in the most part will lead a very short, sad, sordid life.

Those who overdose and are saved, more often than not, return to life on
the streets rather than enter a detox and rehab centre, and the hideous
cycle begins again.

Not only do the addicts' lives continue to be destroyed, but so too do the
lives of the families who love them.

August 24 Name withheld, Sydney.

Checked-by: Pat Dolan