Pubdate: Mon, 24 Mar 2003
Source: West Australian (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 West Australian Newspapers Limited
Contact:  http://www.thewest.com.au
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/495
Author: Sandy Moran

IDENTIFY EARLY

DR RICHARD MIDFORD of the National Drug Research Institute, Curtin 
University, believes harm minimisation is a practical strategy that deals 
with the reality of youth ignoring the dangers of drug use (Letters, 18/3).

Alleged good drug education will provide young people with the life skills 
to make better-informed decisions.  I'm curious.  How much good drug 
education is there about drug abuse and attentional disorders, learning 
disabilities, tourette syndrome and neurobiologically based behaviour 
disorders?

Come to think of it, where are the public-sector services for these 
individual "at-risk" conditions that predispose to substance abuse?

They don't exist.  Forget harm minimisation and try a little early 
identification and intervention before substance abuse develops.  No need 
to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

SANDY MORAN, City Beach
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