In defence of ice

RE ICE not a nice vice - name and address withheld (Northern Territory News, Feb 28) is sadly mistaken that Amphetamines are the most destructive drug in our society causing misery, destruction and crime.

Tell that to the tens of thousands of Australians who use the drug on a regular basis for work, rest or play.

They certainly don’t suffer misery or destruction. In the unlikely event that they are exposed to the criminal justice system, it is because of an outdated piece of legislation that prohibits their drug of choice.

In the right environment and with the right people, Ice is a fantastic drug and its popularity can only be expected to grow. Let’s work with it, not against it.

Drug crimes are victimless crimes. Robert Chin only sold his product to willing buyers. Justice Dean Mildren did the right thing when he sentenced Chin to the mandatory 28 days’ jail, rather than expose him to years of human rights abuses in the NT correctional system.

We can only hope that the judiciary are starting to question the failure of drug prohibition.

Gary Meyerhoff
Parap

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Fri, 4th March 2005
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Gary Meyerhoff
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/
Copyright: 2005 Northern Territory News