Pubdate: Wed, 18 Aug, 1999 Source: Herald Sun (Australia) Copyright: News Limited 1999 Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ Author: Jim Brennan Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v99.n865.a08.html THE HEROIN INDUSTRY I FEEL compelled to reply to Opposition Leader Steve Bracks’ policy and comments on the drug problem (Herald Sun, August 16). I would have thought the first thing to do would be to study the results of government policies (of both sides of politics) before attempting something new such as a drug policy. Implemented policies of the past 20 years or so have seen the creation of many departments, committees, enquiries, legal aid facilities, methadone programs, free needles and so on. The needle manufacturers must have thought all their Christmases had come at once when that contract came up. These policies have seen huge employment growth in the addict “service industries”, plus a massive increase in drug-addicted people, at huge cost to the community and taxpayer. If the same amount of money and resources was spent in getting rid of drug traffickers and pushers, I doubt the problem would be as bad as it is today. I would like these people to get a mandatory 25 years’ jail on conviction, have all assets taken and be deported at the end of their sentence if originally from another country. The present and proposed policies are an absolute farce. I should know — my younger brother died of a heroin overdose after years of service from the “industry”. Jim Brennan, Sunbury - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder