Letters

Harm minimisation

Tom King

Contents - Dec 2012 - Buy a copy now Homily: Benedict XVI: the new consoling certainty of Christmas - Pope Benedict XVI Culture: Western crisis is spiritual: Russian Orthodox leader - Metropolitan Hilarion News: The Church Around the World Sectarianism: Dignitatis Humanae Institute: Christian values in public life - Babette Francis Young Men of God 2012 Conference showcases Christian leadership - Br Barry Coldrey Events: iWitness Retreat / Campion College Summer Program Pilgrimage: Crossroads: young people spread the message of life and love - Angela Schumann Catholicism: The Year of Faith: time to revisit the Catechism of the Catholic Church Church - Audrey English A different fire: Vatican II and the new evangelisation - Archbishop Mark Coleridge History: Parish life in the Middle Ages (Part 1) - Frank Mobbs Caroline Chisholm Library: Melbourne's hidden gem - Angela Schumann Advent and the Second Coming: a forgotten article of faith - Br Christian Moe FSC Letters: Abortion silence - Thomas M. Kalotas Letters: Courage of convictions - Robert Bom Letters: Bob Santamaria - Brian A. Peachey Letters: Old Testament - Fr Brian Harrison Letters: Harm minimisation - Tom King Christmas: Latin Mass in Melbourne Poetry: The Reunion - Father John W. Ó Néill Books: A BIBLICAL SEARCH FOR THE CHURCH CHRIST FOUNDED, by Linus F. Clovis - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: ADAM AND EVE AFTER THE PILL, by Mary Eberstadt - Brian Peachey (reviewer) Support: Fighting Fund Books: Order books from www.freedompublishing.com.au Reflection: Feast of the Holy Innocents: Rachel weeps for her children - Anne Lastman

Dr Arnold Jago (October AD2000) is correct in his evaluation of the pending needle exchange program that is apparently proposed for introduction at a Canberra prison. Such a compromise to accommodate inmate addicts is undoubtedly the height of folly.

I served for 30 years in Queensland's prisons where discipline, work and strict drug-free enforcement was a priority, in the 1970s, and segregation of offenders in the 17-25 age bracket was facilitated in a separate prison.

In addition to the basic enforcement fundamentals, I sought the assistance of sporting personalities in encouraging prisoners to get involved in rugby league, tennis, athletics, body building, etc.

However, this was an era when the media and the politically correct tribe introduced the "party drug" compromise.

Until the incoming Labor Government abandoned the concept, the problems of contamination and tolerated addiction were eliminated by the prisoners themselves, with the fundamentals we provided.

TOM KING
Mansfield, Qld

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 25 No 11 (December 2012 - January 2013), p. 16