Give help, not punishment

The heroin death toll has reached 100 for this year, according to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. There is a community perception that tougher policing reduces the number of heroin deaths. This does not appear to be the case. Urban Seed, a community organisation in the CBD, responds to the drug-use that occurs in the lane at our back door. Most illicit drug users we speak to share the human story of trying to cope with life. When people's lives have spiralled to the point of street based drug use, punitive responses will not help. People using drugs need support and avenues of treatment.

Classic princibles of supply and demand will ensure that an illicit drug trade continues. A singular focus on supply reduction is futile given the nature of this black market. Don't we need to put more enrgey and resourses into reducing demad? Why are the people using illicit drugs in the first place?
Sue Hogan, Brent Lyons-Lee/
Urban Seed/Collins Street/Melbourne

Melbourne Times 8/12/04