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Letters / I choked on my toast!

IF Michael Moore was an acupuncturist, I may support his wanting to flood the Alexander Maconochie Centre with needles, (“Time to grasp prison needles”, CN, July 24).

By being in prison they are already marginalised socially. Blood transmission through intravenous drug use is virtually the only way to get hep C, so what cockamamie thinking would ensure further marginalisation by giving them the very instruments to damage their health?

Mr Moore’s policy has supported governments giving out about 600 million needles in the past 25 years to help stop the increase in hep C! One would think that over that period Mr Moore or one of his colleagues would have noticed the number of sufferers rising from around 25,000 some 30 years ago to nearly 230,000 today. That is failure in anyone’s language.

I choked on my toast upon reading Mr Moore’s unbelievable statement that the needle question is a health and human rights issue, not a moral one. If that is so, given the shocking history above we must immediately sack the health authorities and disband the human rights group! And God help us, please!

Colliss Parrett, Barton

A century of service

THIS month Australian Red Cross celebrates 100 years. It’s an honour to reflect on our remarkable history, to celebrate our achievements and thank generations of Australians for their support. This includes the one million Red Cross members, volunteers, donors, staff, blood donors and supporters who make such a positive, lasting difference to the lives of people in need every day – thank you!

Founded on an enduring spirit of volunteerism and generosity, Red Cross strives to offer assistance without discrimination, and to alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found, regardless of nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions.

We live in an increasingly complex world with difficult humanitarian challenges and our mission to care for the most vulnerable people in need has never been more relevant.

So this month as we reflect on the last 100 years, we look to the next 100. We pass the baton on to the next generation of Australians to carry on the legacy of the millions of selfless individuals who together demonstrate that the power of humanity can, and does, change people’s lives for the better.

There are so many ways you can carry on this legacy – make a regular donation, become a member, volunteer, donate goods to your local Red Cross shop and buy unique items from there too, learn First Aid, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, leave a bequest in your will, or donate blood. Simply visit redcross.org.au or call 1800 811 700. You too can be a part of the great Australian story of people helping people.

 

Wenda Donaldson, executive director,

Red Cross in the ACT and south-east NSW

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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One Response to Letters / I choked on my toast!

Ben says: 26 August 2014 at 12:38 pm

I think in the interest of full disclosure and openness, it should be made known that Colliss is the current “Drugs Policy Adviser, Australian Family Association (A.C.T.)”.

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