Pubdate: Fri, 20 Dec 2002
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2002 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Simon O'Brien

STAY OUT OF OUR ISSUE

AT A time when some claim that good investigative journalism is a lost art, 
I write to compliment The West Australian for its report by Norm Aisbett 
(The billionaire, drugs and us, Weekend Extra, 30/11). It examined the push 
to legalise illicit drugs of abuse and, in particular, the role of 
well-financed US lobby groups with their tame journalists and PR 
operatives. Aisbett exposes the agenda of people like Robert Sharpe, of the 
Drug Policy Alliance, Washington, who aim to engineer change in "Australia 
or some other English-speaking country, to help us pressure our (US) 
legislators".

It is outrageous that US lobby groups should be seeking to change our 
values to suit themselves. What are the lengths to which this campaign will 
go to achieve its purpose? How much money has been spent on pushing the 
odious line of the reformers? How many politicians are behind the Gallop 
Government's push to normalise cannabis use in WA, regardless of the 
overwhelming opposition to such a move? I am sure readers of The West 
Australian will be interested to learn more about this insidious campaign.

As to the proof of Aisbett's report, one need look no further than the 
letters pages on Tuesday. Deirdre Lyra, of the Australian Family 
Association, gives voice to the concerns of parents everywhere, while three 
letters from foreign lobbyists push the legalisation agenda. Get out of our 
backyard, Mr Sharpe of Washington, PR director Stephen Heath of Florida and 
Jeff Moore of Virginia. We prefer to listen to West Australians.

SIMON O'BRIEN, MLC, Liberal spokesman for drug abuse strategy.
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MAP posted-by: Alex