LAWS AND EDUCATION KEY TO DRUG CONTROL

I am delighted to see the report on a new Bill being prepared in
Parliament to further control the availability of recreational drugs.
The Progressive and United Future parties are to be applauded for
their concern for society, rather than indulging in the character
assassinations with which other parties seem obsessed. Although
legislation alone will not stop drug abuse it sends a clear message
that it is a danger to society.

Legislation undoubtedly greatly reduces the availability of drugs to
our youth. Education on the hazards of party and pleasure substances
is also essential. The revised edition of the book The Great Brain
Robbery by Tom Scott and Trevor Grice is an excellent recourse as it
is written for young people, is well illustrated and laid out. It
highlights the ghastly effects, short term and long term, of drugs
available, legal and illegal. Knowing the poisonous hazards of taking
random doses of drugs of unknown strength and purity, I am amazed that
anyone would be so stupid as to take the risk. Even the "pep" pills
available over the counter are dangerous when users overdose or mix
them with alcohol.

Marijuana is clearly poisonous and should not be legalised or sold
commercially. Drug abuse is, in my opinion, one of the greatest
threats to our society. It is undoubtedly the cause of many crimes and
of accidents, on the roads in particular. We need both legislation and
education.

L.H. Weston

Andersons Bay