HERALD SUN BACKS COURT ORDERED DRUG PROGRAMS

 

The Melbourne Herald Sun in its editorial of 21 October 1999 states -

 

PREMIER Steve Bracks has committed himself to moving "as quickly as possible" to establish safe-injecting houses in Melbourne for heroin addicts. He must hasten slowly. This controversial move requires very detailed scrutiny before it is imposed on a community still deeply divided on the best way to cope with the heroin plague.   Mr Bracks argues that safe houses will save lives. Opponents of the scheme argue that the reverse would be true.   The new premier must not be afraid to modify his enthusiasm for the measure if investigations suggest this is necessary. Certainly, providing safe injection centers will send an ambiguous message to others yet to risk trying the lethal drug.

      If Mr Bracks goes ahead he must ensure the law compels addicts to undergo treatment. The Sydney experience has shown the dealers who supply heroin users will still be around, even though the Bracks Govermnent plans to toughen penalties for drug peddlers.   Understandably, Mr Bracks wants to get moving as quickly as possible with his bulging bag of promises.   These include restoring the powers of the auditor-general; providing more hospital beds and nurses, and more schools and teachers; and restoring public confidence in public transport.   His ability to fulfill his pledges will depend very much on his handling of factional rivalries within the ALP, which have undone past Labor governments.   Added to the hazards of this tightrope act will be the need to placate the selfish agendas of three nominal independents.   But the most important group he must satisfy is the Victorian public, which will be watching closely to ensure that unlike the Cain/Kirner governments, his is not beholden to sectional interests.

 

In Sweden courts order addicts into detoxification and rehabilitation programs which gets the addict drug free. This is why Sweden has six times lower drug usage rates than Australia.

 

We must oppose injecting rooms and push for court ordered detoxification & rehabilitation.

We Want -

 Less addicts

Drug pushing to remain illegal

Less crime

Taxes for injecting rooms must be used to get addicts drug free

More detoxification & effective rehabilitation programs

Drug centers must get addicts drug free

FACT SHEET  M2

Drug Advisory Council of Australia Inc.