Pubdate: Wed, 26 Jul 2000 Source: Herald Sun (Australia) Copyright: News Limited 2000 Contact: PO Box 14999, Melbourne City, MC 8001 Australia Fax: (03) 9292 2112 Website: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ Author: Ashley Alp Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1039/a02.html PROMINENT PEOPLE OUT OF TOUCH ON HEROIN IN what can only be a stunning manipulation of public opinion, the open letter to all Victorians from nine prominent Australians (Herald Sun, July 24) continues to promote the introduction of injecting facilities by stealth. An injecting facility does nothing to solve the problem of drug dealers, drug-related crime or the rehabilitation of drug addicts. It is a Band-Aid measure intended to cover up problems while doing little to resolve them. People will still die of drug overdose. Drug addiction, like addiction to alcohol or gambling, is a disease. An integrated approach, which includes a supply of illicit drugs on prescription, registration of drug addicts and provision of detoxification and drug rehabilitation, must be provided. This is more likely to put drug dealers out of business and provide real hope for drug addicts and their families. Ashley Alp, Katamatite - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk