Not so radical

There needs to be a fuller appreciation of illegal drug use in our community. The fact a recent operation nabbed more tablets than that for the whole of last year should make us think about how many more deals of this relatively small size (by my calculations, less than $50K) go unnoticed.

The drug supply chain is unaffected by these busts, even for the so-called “Mr Bigs”.

For each of these persons prosecuted, how many more exist and will take their place?

And what of the people without their hits of ecstasy and speed?

They’ll have to arrange another deal and, in the meantime, settle for cigarettes and alcohol, which are far more addictive and damaging to the body.

But that’s okay because these substances are socially acceptable, especially in the NT, where more alcohol is drunk per person than most places on this planet.

In time, the radical ideas held by Gary Meyerhoff will not be those of a “hippy activist”, but those of mainstream voters.

Lawrence Irlam
Darwin

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 1st April 2002
Source: Northern Territory News
Author: Lawrence Irlam
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Copyright: 2002 Northern Territory News