A NEW WAR TO WAGE

WHILE John Howard has been distracting the Australian public with the phony
war on terror in Iraq, 500,000 Australians have become Hepatitis C
positive, many due to intravenous drug abuse.

Although 80 per cent will respond to medication, this will come at a cost
of $250 million (the cost of the war). Many more will face liver transplants.

It is time for a war on the terror of hopelessness, despair and lack of
opportunity. With poor education, unemployment and family breakdowns, these
are the root causes of drug addiction. We must invest in preventative
strategies before thousands of Australians needlessly die because of
Hepatitis C, more than those who will be killed by terrorists.

Dr COLIN HUGHES, Greenmount