Sydney's opium den
Injecting rooms where heroin addicts freely use illicit drugs has been likened to the opium dens operating in China a century ago.
The reference to the link between opium dens and Injecting rooms was made in a recent letter from the International Drug Policy Institute to the second most powerful leader in the Republic of China.
The Opium Commission in Shanghai in 1909 investigated the opium dens of China and the operation of opium dens would be well known to the Chinese leader.
Todays heroin is a byproduct of opium.
Abstinence was the policy used by the Chinese and according to the Institute is the only viable and useful strategy for use against heroin.
The International Narcotics Control Board of the United Nations calls harm reduction programs like injecting rooms - futile.
The Institute advised Madam Li that providing free syringes is a subterfuge for legalising illicit drugs and drug use.
The Institute and the Board advocate rehabilitation for drug addicts.
(Source: Letter to the Chinese Vice Premier Madam Li dated 27 September 2005 from the International Drug Policy Institute)
DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-
Heroin and opium addictions are old problems that go back centuries.
China understands from its history that injecting rooms like in Kings Cross in Sydney are the modern opium dens that maintain drug users in their addiction.
Australia MUST learn from history and reduce its drug using population by providing voluntary or court ordered detoxification and rehabilitation for illicit drug users.
THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-
More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes.
39/2005
