Pubdate: Mon, 15 Mar 1999 Source: Illawarra Mercury (Australia) Copyright: Illawarra Newspapers Contact: http://mercury.illnews.com.au/ Author: Sandshon Bishop DRUG TAKERS IN NEED OF FUNDING I am writing on behalf of the majority of youth in Wollongong. When is Howard going to realise that young drug takers are crying out for funding not bandaid treatments like needle exchange and methadone programs. Due to Howard's state of the economy he provides smaller dole payment, increased unemployment which in turn only provokes this problem of drug abuse. The less money a young person receives weekly encourages crime and antisocial behaviour, which is caused by drug taking. The kids using drugs aren't just youth from lower class families. It could be the Prime Minister's son or your daughter. The problem needs to be attacked by the police from the source. SANDSHON BISHOP, Corrimal. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry