Family & Friends for Drug Law Reform Letter Writing KitBrian McConnell of Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform ACT Inc has got together a letter writing kit, mainly in responce to NSW Police Commissioner Peter Ryan's statement that he believed the time is ripe for considering changes to our drug laws. That may not be relevant to all of you, but the general advice on letter writing to Parliamentarians and to Editors is good, and Brian has certainly succeeded in getting many letters published. So those of you who are already expert and active in this field please forgive the egg-sucking advice, and those of you who have been too nervous or preoccupied to attempt it, please consider that now is a time of change when a Police Commissioner can stand up and suggest the previously unthinkable, and we can make a difference by each adding our straw to help break prohibition's back. See also a Contact List for Australian Newspapers. Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform (ACT) Inc.committed to preventing tragedy that arises from illicit drug usePO Box 36 HIGGINS ACT 2615 Telephone (06) 254 2961Associated with the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation
Thank you for your request for our kit to support NSW Police Commissioner's call for a change to drug laws. The recent remarks of the NSW Police Commissioner Mr Peter Ryan in favour of drug law reform provides an important opportunity to press the NSW Government and other Australian governments for action. The chances of moving the Government to positive action will be greatly increased by representations made to your state and federal parliamentarians. At the very least governments should be urged to support the heroin trial proposed to take place in the ACT. This trial will be considered by Federal and State Minister in June/July. Please take the opportunity as soon as possible to make your views known to your state member of parliament, your premier or chief minister, and/or a Liberal/National party member of federal parliament. You may wish to make the representation in person, by telephone or in writing. If you choose to write here are two important things to keep in mind: 1. To gain the most impact you should
make your letters as unique as possible rather than copy these samples
verbatim. 2. The use of your personal experience in writing can be persuasive. If you are meeting in person or writing tell the member about it. Attached is supporting material to help you: 1. Background material of points in favour of drug law reform. 2. Suggested letter to your local member 3. Letter to Mr Carr as an example of a letter to your premier or chief minister. 4. Suggested letter to a federal Liberal/National party member of parliament 5. Leaflet - What can I do to help 6. Leaflet - Writing letters to the editor 7. Letter to the editor of the Daily Telegraph published on 24 Feb 1997 (for information only, so that you can see a style of a letter that has been published) 8. FFDLR membership application form Please copy and circulate this material to like minded friends so that they may also support the call for change. There is no copyright and no restriction on the number of copies. It will only be useful if it is used and not left on the shelf. If you have some possible resources (or even suggestions) that you think can be added to the kit and which can be emailed as a supplement please send it to me. I would be pleased to receive feedback on outcomes of any action taken. It might for example be useful to know what works best in what circumstances (and what does not) and perhaps of those parliamentarians who do or do not support the proposal. Brian McConnell 1. BACKGROUNDOn Saturday 22 February 1997 the NSW Police Commissioner, Peter Ryan, stated on TV: "I think there's a need to look at the drug legislation. There is room for reform." "Whether or not decriminalising drugs would have a beneficial effect is probably a guess. It's probably worth trying and seeing what happens." The NSW Labor Government has reacted coolly. Mr Carr is reported to have "reaffirmed the Government's position that there would be no trials [of changes to drug laws]" and the Police Minister, Paul Whelan said that the Government had no plans at this stage to decriminalise drugs. "We are not going to introduce a program or a trial unless we know it has a likelihood of success". The NSW Labor Government should be urged to take its lead from the Victorian Labor Opposition which in June 1996 supported adoption of the drug liberalisation recommendations of the Pennington inquiry. The cool New South Wales attitude is in line with its lack of support for the ACT heroin trial which will be considered again by the Council of Health and Police Minister in June/July. NSW's support is essential if that trial is to go ahead. The trial is carefully designed to provide hard data on the effectiveness of controlled delivery of heroin as an alternative to existing treatments. In 1995 there were over 230 deaths from illegal drugs in each of NSW and Victoria. Nearly all these were caused by overdoses arising from the variable quality of illicit drugs and the unhealthy and dangerous life style that illicit drug users are often forced to lead. NOTES ON THE NEED FOR DRUG LAW REFORMYears of drug prohibition have failed to stem the flow of illicit drugs. The recently published report on Australian Illicit Drugs 1995-96 of the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence confirms that the illicit drug supply is still increasing. The same report also had this to say: "it is unlikely that there will be any significant changes to the illicit drug situation in Australia" and notes also "while some [drug] law enforcement efforts result in temporary shortages or price increases, there appear to be no long term effects from these efforts." The huge profits in illicit drugs, estimated to be $US600 billion per year world wide - a trade involving more money than the international petroleum trade - guarantees an efficient supply network which is bent on recruiting new users and feeding corruption of officials. It is said that illicit drugs are as easy as ordering pizza. The fact that illicit drug use is widespread and endemic in highly controlled prison environments illustrates that it is virtually impossible to eliminate with our current prohibition laws. Because there is no effective control over the ready supply of illicit drugs they are not subject to quality control. This gives rise to serious health risks including overdose deaths from strong or contaminated supplies. The health of dependent users of illicit drugs is also often seriously endangered by the unhealthy lifestyle forced on them in order to feed their habit: poor nutrition, dirty needles and debilitating tension. The illicit status of drugs gets in the way of successful interventions. It cuts users off from their families and from society in general. Deaths in Australia arising from drug overdoses alone are running at over 500 each year. In short the illicit status of drugs multiplies many times over the intrinsic harm of the drugs themselves. A continuance of the status quo means that the drug availability will continue to increase, criminals retain control, profits will continue to feed the corruption of officials, deaths from illegal drugs will continue to rise and families and friends will continue to mourn lost loved ones. Australia has had 43 years of prohibition
laws and the situation has progressively worsened. 2. POSSIBLE LETTER TO LOCAL MEMBER {Insert your address here} Dear {Insert your member's first name} I am writing to urge your support for NSW Police Commissioner Ryan's recent suggestion that we should try reforming our drug laws. Our present criminal laws are meant to reduce the harm caused by drugs but they are having the opposite effect. In spite of them drugs are now more available than ever. Here are some examples of the unintended consequences of our present prohibition laws: Deaths resulting from overdose or impurities
and spread of diseases such as AIDS and hepatitis. {If appropriate insert a brief paragraph of your personal experience that would support a change} The proposed heroin trial in the ACT is intended as a means of finding alternate treatment methods for dependant heroin users. In 1996 it failed to receive the support of the NSW Government despite the fact that there would have been no political risk. The proposal will be again discussed at the Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy in June/July this year. The {insert the name of your state or territory} Government's support is essential for the success of this proposal and your support is urged. I do not believe that we can afford to continue with more of the same and I urge you to support Commissioner Ryan and in turn urge the The {insert the name of your state or territory} Government to seek effective changes, that will reduce the harm. Its support for the ACT heroin trial can be just one way. I would be pleased to hear of your views on this matter and of the action that you take to support Commissioner Ryan's call for change. I would appreciate a copy of relevant correspondence that you send. Yours sincerely 3. SAMPLE LETTER TO MR CARR AS AN EXAMPLE OF A LETTER TO YOUR HEAD OF STATE {Insert your address here} Dear Premier, Police Commissioner Ryan's recent suggestion
that we should try reforming our drug laws is a beacon of hope. Our present
criminal laws are meant to reduce the harm caused by drugs but they are
having the opposite effect. In spite of them, drugs are now more available
than ever. Peter Ryan has been chosen to clean up the police force in
NSW. He can only do this if his suggestions are respected and seriously
considered. To do otherwise will be putting barriers to prevent him from
doing the very thing he was employed to do. The laws cut young people
off from their families, expose them to drugs of uncertain quality and
turn them into criminals. There would be very few drug deaths if our laws
were otherwise. Our young people need our help not alienation. For the
sake of our young people as well as the good of our society do something
about our stupid and cruel drug laws. {Your name and signature here} 4. SAMPLE LETTER TO FEDERAL LIBERAL PARTY MEMBER Insert your address Dear {insert first name}, Most deaths have occurred not from the intrinsic danger of the drugs themselves but because the drugs are not subject to quality control. Dependent users are often pushed beyond the pale of society into a life of crime. In other words the criminal status of drugs constitutes a greater problem than the drugs themselves. As one of those at the ceremony put it, he would far sooner have his daughter alive and using drugs than dead as she now is. This personal tragedy can so easily be avoided and the benefits don't end there. By treating drugs as a health rather than a criminal problem the opportunity is there to bring corruption under control, to make enormous savings in the administration of police, courts and prisons and to withdraw some of those distortions of our civil liberties that have been introduced in a vain attempt to win the futile war against drugs. As a start, please urge your colleagues the Attorney-General and Minister for Health to support the ACT heroin trial which will be coming up for consideration again at the March meeting of Police and Health Ministers. Nothing will happen if the Commonwealth sits on the fence. In 1996 there were over 500 deaths from drug overdoses in Australia. Please act to prevent the same happening in 1997. Yours sincerely, WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?Actions you can take to reduce the tragedy Introduction This leaflet has been prepared to respond to the question "what can I do that will help to reduce the tragedy that arises from illicit drug use?" It contains a list of suggestions from which a choice, depending upon areas of interest, can be made. Inform yourself! It is important that
you yourself become informed. Tell your personal story If you have been affected by a tragedy for heroin use then telling your personal story can help. Personal stories are being collected by the Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform to be used in the debate to benefit the case for drug law reform. The Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform would appreciate you telling your personal story on how drug use has affected your family. The group realises that it is sometimes difficult but it believes that our community needs to know the extent of the problem as it personally affects people's lives. The group believes there is a need to change the stereotyping which is placed on those who use drugs. Drug users are often thought of as criminals, coming from dysfunctional families, no-hopers, outcastes. We as families and friends know that this is not true. We want to change this stereotyping. Your personal story will help. You need not put your name to your story - confidentially will be assured. Take every opportunity to correct any misinformation If someone is presenting a point of view at a meeting, luncheon or party etc and that point of view is incorrect, take the opportunity to point out that it is incorrect and state what the facts really are. To do this you will need to be informed on the subject (see above - Inform yourself). You may also need to develop some skills in presenting your argument. See the group's leaflets on "Frequently Asked Questions". The same applies to media reports, articles,
'letters to the editor' or features. Write to your member of parliament Write to the press Public speaking Send money Join the group Writing Letters to the EditorSuccessful letter writing This brochure suggests some good techniques
for writing letters to the editor to support the drug law reform cause.
Letter writing is the one thing that any one of us can do on our own without
the need to work through a group. No committees are necessary. Just do
it! Not All Letters are Published Don't be discouraged if your letter
isn't published. The editor may have received more responses on that issue
than he feels he can handle. The first thing to remember is that not all
letters received can be published in a typical editorial section. They
are likely to publish either because they: Keep it Short What To Write Single-issue or special-interest groups,
such as the Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform have but one agenda
but within that heading can select from a range of subject sub groups.
Replying to editorials by agreeing or disagreeing is very effective. Style 1. State the argument you're rebutting or responding to, as briefly as possible, in the letter's introduction. Don't do a lengthy rehash; it's a waste of valuable space and boring to boot. 2. Stick to a single subject. Deal with one issue per letter. Limit the scope of your subject, do not try to respond to all the issues - select the key ones and concentrate on them. 3. Don't be shrill or abusive. Editors tend to discard letters containing personal attacks. Even though you're dying to call P Robiton a parasite, stifle the urge. 4. Your letter should be logically organised. First a brief recitation of the argument you are opposing, followed by a statement of your own position. Then present your evidence. Close with a short restatement of your position or a pithy comment ("Prohibition has not worked - how many more people must suffer before the law is changed"). 5. Use facts, figures and expert testimony whenever possible. This raises your letters above the "says you, says me"; category. (For instance: "Does Det Sgt Percy know that there are about 5,000 dealers, how can gaols accommodate the numbers if all are to be gaoled for 10 years each"); Readers respect the opinions of people with special knowledge or expertise. Use expert testimony to bolster your case ("Dr Alex Wodak expresses the view that we are now witnessing the beginning of the end of prohibition"). 6. Proof read your letter carefully for errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar. Newspapers will usually edit to correct these mistakes, but your piece is more likely to be published if it is "clean" to begin with. Read your letter to a friend, for objective input. One suggestion is that a letter shouldn't be mailed the same day it is written. Write, proof read and edit the piece. Then put it aside until the next day. Rereading your letter in a fresh light often helps you to spot errors in reasoning, stilted language and the like. On the other hand, don't let the letter sit too long and lose it's timeliness. 7. Try to view the letter from the reader's perspective. Will the arguments make sense to someone without a special background on this issue. Ask yourself did you use technical terms not familiar to the average reader? 8. Should your letter be typed? In this day and age, generally yes. Double or triple space the letter if it is short. 9. Direct your letters to "Letters to the Editor" or as instructed in the newspaper or journal. 10. Always include your name, address, day-time phone number and signature. The papers will not publish this information if you do not want them to. But they may use it to verify that you wrote the letter. Some newspapers accept letters by email. In these cases follow their instructions. 11. Most important do not try to do a perfect letter. Just give it a good effort and send it off. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONFamilies and Friends for Drug Law Reform recognise that prohibition has failed to keep illicit drugs from harming our families and friends. We therefore want to encourage the implementation of policies that reduce the harm that illicit drugs cause. PLEASE PRINT Surname: __________________ First Name: ______________ Address: _____________________________________________.. Telephone: _____________.. (H) _______________ (Mobile) E-Mail: ________________ Fax:____________ Signature: ________________ Date: ___________.. Annual Membership fee of $5 (single or family) enclosed * If family or household membership please list names and signatures __________________________________________________________________________. Any additional donation would be most appreciated. A receipt will be provided. |