Hello o sung wu, umm exactly where have I ever stated heroin is not addictive? Of course it is...as are many other drugs, both licit and illicit (not to mention some behaviours such as sex and gambling). However, to attribute any drug use/addiction as the sole factor in any violent behaviour is to be naive in the extreme.

As to your comment; 'But who are you? How can anyone take you seriously, when you 'prattle on' about matters you've probably accrued from some repudiated, discarded publication dedicated to those unremarkable entities who frequent the sleazy drug world.' Well, you don't need to know who I am.

However, why don't you go back and read some of my comments that give some details as to my life experiences and research into addiction. Something that has been of great interest , both personally and professionally, to me for over two decades now.

Hi (again) MINOTAUR...

I would indeed be interested in you studies apropos the deleterious effect heroin can have on people. You say inter alia, '...to attribute any drug use/addiction as the sole factor in any violent behaviour is to be naive in the extreme...'? Who are you quoting there my friend? Certainly not me. I've seen enough violence against the person as a direct consequence, of illicit drug and excessive alcohol consumption, to last me forever!

Further, when I asked who you are? You responded thus '...well you don't need to know who I am...'. Of course not, I wasn't seeking that you clearly identify yourself, but appraise us of your tertiary and vocational antecedents, in order that we may establish your specific credibility and bona fides, on matters that you purport to have precise knowledge herein.

Myself I'm merely a blue collar worker, with a very limited education. Besides, it's only right you be appropriately challenged similar to that, of an expert witness in court proceedings.

You've indicated that you've spent the best part of twenty odd years or so at University, whereupon you're engaged in research and analyzing the addictive properties of some of society's most pleasurable and sought after beverages, as well as many other mind altering substances. Which if turned into transferable capital, would most likely be sufficient to discharge the national debt! Provided that which was raised, could be redirected towards the government coffers.

Minotaur,

I accept your apology, but I find it is difficult to see how my general statements about the properties of heroin could be construed to be about the use of this drug only in Australia.

However, I still find your allegation that heroin is illegal even in the medical system when I find it defined as a schedule 8 (highly restricted) drug, and references to its use in documents from the Queensland government.

Given this and your ridiculous equating of heroin addiction with alcohol, I don't view your claims with any credibility. However, given your supposed studies of peer reviewed research, you have ample opportunity to prove me wrong, and I welcome some links from erudite sources to back you up and alleviate the stench of BS that presently surrounds you.

Hmm, got a severe comprehension problem don't you SM. I'll post again what it says on the NSW government website: "Heroin was banned from legal prescription in Australia in 1953. Bans were brought about through international pressure. The use of heroin for any purpose is illegal in all states and territories in Australia."

Note it says "use of heroin FOR ANY PURPOSE IS ILLEGAL IN ALL STATES AND TERRITORIES IN AUSTRALIA."

The Australian Police website is even blunter and simply states "Heroin is illegal."

I also went through that document you sent a link for and there is no mention of heroin as a treatment. And your mention of a 'section 8' listing is so vague it is worthless.

Little wonder you are a shadow as your comments lack any sort of substance and therefore you have no credibility whatsoever. And for you who has presented absolutely nothing to say I have no credibility is laughable. That is even more so when you clearly have no idea of how drug/alcohol detox and rehab programs work. You are clearly not worthy of engaging with so I shall waste no more of my time in doing so.

o sung wu stated ...' I've seen enough violence against the person as a direct consequence, of illicit drug and excessive alcohol consumption...'. You seem don't seem to know the difference between causal factors and consequences osw. Causal factors can include those that lead to a person taking an illicit drug or drink to excess. Simply using a substance cannot be the sole reason for outcomes.

"Links between illicit drug use and crime
There is research both in Australia and internationally which shows that a significant proportion of those apprehended for a range of criminal offences are frequent illicit drug users. However, whether drug use is a causal factor for crime continues to be debated.
..
Drug Use Monitoring in Australia

In 2004, 37% of detainees in the DUMA program attributed at least some of their offending to drugs (excluding alcohol), with the proportion rising to 45% for those who had used drugs in the previous twelve months."

http://www.aic.gov.au/crime_types/drugs_alcohol/illicit_drugs/drugs_and_crime.html

There is plenty of indication, for example random testing for alcohol and drugs, that the will of the Australian electorate is being expressed through the policy and enforcement regime.

This (below) is the picture where indigenous are concerned and it goes without saying that such suffering (and the recent DV mass homicide) will not result in any lessening of public concern where drug use and more particularly, drug manufacture and trafficking are concerned.

http://www.aodknowledgecentre.net.au/aodkc/illicit-drug-use/reviews/illicit-drug-use-review