Dear friends, regarding my posting on the above mentioned subject, I received a message from a colleague, who wishes to remain anonymous for understandable reasons. Here it is: Date sent: Sun, 09 Mar 1997 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Healthism in public health? 7 March 1997 Dear Eberhard, An obvious analogy with Theresa Schumilas' problem about feeling unable to speak out about certain matters in the context of her official position, are the arguments surrounding the health impacts and legal status of illicit drug use. Drug and alcohol bureaucrats invariably find it difficult to speak out in public or pro-actively advise their minister that reform of current regressive illicit drug policy might reduce rather than increase drug related harm. They might find it difficult to advise against a "war against people", sorry, "drugs", notwithstanding the impressive evidence suggesting that such punitive approaches may not only be ineffective but may also be harmful in terms of their impact on public health and social integrity. That is, if they should hold such views. Such actions might be seen as "professional suicide". So, ideology continues to drive public policy rather than research and a healthy questioning of the effectiveness of all current policies. We can therefore go to bed each night feeling safe in the knowledge that decision-makers in government have it all in hand. Regards, ************************** To me this is *heavy stuff* - any comments? Eberhard Wenzel MA PhD Griffith University Faculty of Environmental Sciences Nathan, Qld. 4111 Australia Tel.: 61-7-3875 7103 Fax: 61-7-3875 7459 e-mail: [log in to unmask] http://www.ens.gu.edu.au/eberhard/welcome.htm