NEWS READER IRKED BY DRUG LETTER

Re: "Illegal drugs -- why not remove the cause? (March 30).

Stephen Lamb's letter praising Singapore's enforcement of drug laws
and asking us to face the facts doesn't take into consideration that
the population of Singapore has not enjoyed our level of human rights
and freedoms for as long as we have. Many Asian countries such as
Singapore, Malaysia and even Thailand have enforced laws in horrendous
ways that would not be acceptable in a free and just society. Drug
dealers and users were often shot on the spot with no hope for trial
or questions asked. Is this how we should enforce our drug laws in
this country? Would you risk having your son or daughter at risk of
being shot for their youthful experimentation? Let's not hold up the
law enforcement examples of a country that still regards homosexuality
as punishable by canings and life in prison. Their law and order is
enforced by standards that fortunately would never be acceptable here.

Barry Carvish,

Victoria