From Kirstan Murphy
I disagree with the editor’s comment that what many addicts need is a safe
supply of drugs
(3 November, p 3).
Drug addicts who do manage to curb their
addiction come to realise that drugs do nothing for you. It’s only when they
reach rock bottom that they can see how worthless their life was, and only by
getting over it can they experience the meaning of being truly alive.
Drug addicts are people who have buried their feelings and substituted the
chemical roller coaster ride for the ups and downs of real life. The message
that has to be sent out is: stop using the drug, and seek out other ways of
helping you get through life.
Having worked with drug addicts myself, I can say that not one of them would
have been in therapy if they had access to a free supply of drugs from the
government. Yes, not all drug addicts will stop taking drugs and, yes, some will
die from an overdose. But let us look at those who have managed to get out of it
and who are presently living a substance-free life.
Perranporth, Cornwall
