HELPING CURB DRUG ABUSE

Drug Free Australia encourages authorities to uphold and enforce the laws
of the nation, and the Northern Territory is to be applauded for not shying
away from its duty when a handful of noisy lobbyists express their radical
views by breaking the law.

In sending Luke Masters and others to jail we can all hope, as his mother
does, that he realises what is available to him when he comes out: a job, a
loving family, and a community willing to support those in need of help.

There are two sides of an effective drug policy. Demand reduction relies
not only on community support and education, but also law enforcement to
act as both an encouragement to do the right thing and a deterrent from
breaking the law. If pro-drug campaigners wish to change the law, let them
do so by debates in parliament. And when they lose, accept that the people
have chosen to have the law protect us all and our children. Michael
Robinson executive director Drug Free Australia