Addicts and A.I.D.S.

Press, 17 January 1986, Page 14

Addicts and A.I.D.S.

Sir, — The editorial “Pandering to self destruction” (January 15), really shows the Health Department’s irresponsibility. Even to contemplate making needles and syringes more readily available to drug addicts is pure idiocy. There is enough evil in life without a Government department giving people the products with which to harm themselves even more. If they think by handing out needles and syringes it would help stop the risk of A.1.D.5., they would be quite mistaken, and as a taxpayer I do not want my hard paid taxes going to aid and abet drug addicts. Responsibility has to lie with the individual and what the Health Department should be handing out is a good dose of morals and decent principles to hasten mental and physical growth, not decay it. — Yours, etc., G. ROSE. January 16, 1986.

Sir, — My eye caught your editorial headline and the word “addicts,” Perhaps I hoped you have joined with the British Medical Association campaigning against advertising promoting tobacco smoking. Sadly — not so. You begrudge efforts to prevent a few hundred cases of A.1.D.5., and show a profound ignorance of the problem of drug abuse. I am appalled by your

mug auuijv. x cun appantu uy jvui cavalier attitude to public health issues. — Yours, etc., JOHN DOBSON. January 15, 1986.