A recent correspondent called for the legalisation of heroin, but that should not be the case. The drug should, however, be made available on licence as part of a proper system to get addicts off smack.
This has been tried in countries such as Switzerland and they’ve experienced a 60% drop in crime as a result. Addicts go to dedicated addiction centres and inject there. Far fewer needles are left lying around for kids to pick up and fewer old ladies are being mugged in the street to fuel a drug habit.
Addicts are able to break the cycle of offending, stabilise their life, and in many cases, get off the drug.
While the cost of prescription heroin comes out of the public purse, the sum involved pales into insignificance compared to the money saved locking up addicts for the crimes they commit.
Insurance costs drop as a result of lower crime levels.
Less money disappears out of the official economy and because the heroin trade is less lucrative, fewer people deal, meaning fewer people get hooked in the first place.
People call for tougher sentences but are they willing for their tax to pay for the cost of locking up addicts?
Zero tolerance will never work and countries with the toughest penalties have some of the highest rates of addiction.
Look at the example of 1920s America — all alcohol prohibition did was provide oxygen for organised crime.
Let’s take a fresh look at this problem, be brave in the face of reactionary vitriol and stop our young people falling into the misery of addiction, crime and death. — Gavin Shaedler, Yarrow Terrace, Dundee.
Use a heavy hand
We are told that here in Britain we live in a free country. Yet, who is free?
Are decent hard-working people free to protect their property? Are pensioners free to walk the streets without fear?
It is not the heroin addict, the homeless or the deprived, it is successive governments that have allowed this rise by bowing to a politically correct liberal elite.
Drug-taking and crime will never be eradicated, but there is no question that if our police forces were allowed to use a heavy hand and punishments and prisons were severe, many people would have thought twice before turning to crime and drugs. — George Aimer, Kinghorne Road, Dundee.
Accident waiting to happen
The entrance to Dundee’s new Downfield Primary on Strathmartine Road,
Dundee’s new Downfield Primary School looks fantastic, and I am sure the pupils and teachers will enjoy it tremendously.
However, I am very concerned as to why the main entrance opens onto one of the busiest and most congested roads in Dundee — Strathmartine Road.
Children being children, this to me could be an accident waiting to happen. — Parent, Downfield, Dundee.
Too young to control their dog
It should be illegal for dog owners to allow a small child (under seven years old) to be out with a dog with no adult supervision.
I am sure it could cause a tragedy. There is a person in the Menzieshill area of Dundee area who allowed two very small children to walk a dog over which they had no control. If I see this again I will take a photo and text it to the police.
I am a pensioner and I was walking my gentle wee dog on the lead when the dog came running at us and launched itself at us, tangling me and my dog so tightly I had to almost strangle my dog to free us.
I am 65-years-old and my health is not good. I was so panicked I was breathless and shaking. — Unhappy Dog Walker.
Put them on a leash
I am getting fed up with some dog owners. I own a dog and enjoy taking him out for long walks. However, when I took him out with my young children recently we were confronted by two pit-bull dogs without their owners, running around in the field where I exercise my dog.
I urge the owner to take responsibility for them and put them on a leash and take them for a walk instead of letting them out on their own. — Christine Galligan.
Slopping out cash
It is ridiculous when you read of prisoners being awarded thousands of pounds for having to slop out cells and one person then spends £400 of his £2000 award on heroin. All this at the taxpayers’ expense.
I was glad to see the sheriff showed good sense and fined the man the balance of the cash. It’s sad the Government seems to look after the interests of prisoners so much. — Jimmy Borland, Dundee.
Tap water not what it was
I don’t find tap water very nice to drink now. It’s not the nice cold drink it used to be. Am I alone in thinking this? — Thirsty.
Flight cost
I tried to book flights from Dundee to Belfast for May 23. The first price that came up was in the region of £230 for two return flights with taxes. I was prepared to pay this but left booking them until the following evening. The following evening the flights were £280.
I understand that Dundee is a small airport and for the convenience of flying from your door it will be more expensive. I have now got flights with the same airline FlyBe from Edinburgh at £135 for two returns. — Disappointed, Dundee.
Not minister’s fault
Letter writer Political Watcher calls for Shona Robison’s resignation, but she is no more guilty of negligence regarding the patients’ notes scandal than I am. The fact the notes were lying about Strathmartine Hospital was public knowledge, having been mentioned in the press.
Ms Robison is a government minister and short of going up to the hospital and gathering up the notes herself, she did all that she could reasonably be expected to do.
Having been assured not once but twice by senior officers of the Tayside Health Board the matter was being dealt with when clearly it was not, would tend to exonerate the minister.
What is the Tayside Health Board going to do about it now?
Perhaps Political Watcher’s call for resignations should be directed towards those directly responsible for the safekeeping and confidentiality of patients’ notes. — James Smith, Brownhill Place, Dundee.
Wrong message
I live near Main Street, Hilltown, Dundee, and over three weeks ago I spotted a needle in a drain between a carpet shop and a takeaway. I went round to Hilltown police station that day and informed them of the location of the needle, and a policeman assured me he would go round and dispose of it.
Imagine my disgust and shock when I walked down the same street on Wednesday to see the same needle. Why has nothing been done about it? If the Hilltown residents don’t care, and the police don’t do as they say they will, then what kind of message does this give out? — Shocked Resident.
No help for young victim
What is Carnoustie coming to when a young lad is held and beaten in the street but drivers just pass by and blast their horns?
Not one thought to phone the police.
I informed them the lad received facial injuries that required hospital treatment.
I would like to thank police who dealt with the situation with sensitivity and in a caring manner. — F. N. K.
Killed cat
The youths in a dark coloured car speeding in a 20mph zone in Monifieth on Thursday, May 22 at around 8pm should know the vehicle hit and killed our young cat, Paolo.
The driver’s thoughtless actions have led to the death of a much-loved pet.
The area is a clearly signed 20mph due to the number of children living in the area.
How would you feel if you had hit and killed someone’s child? — Furious, Monifeith.
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