Hi there MINOTAUR...

Seemingly, I don't know the difference '...between causal factors and consequences...'. You're right (evidently)? Accordingly, would you be so kind as to compendiously explain the essential difference between 'causal factors and consequences' in a manner that's precise and easily deciphered for a person of my limited intellect? Provided of course you can MINOTAUR?

You intimated earlier that you'd conducted research into 'addictive behaviour' driven in part by an interest and by your 'lamentable' life experiences. Why then do you decline to identify what faculty it is, that's supervising that research? Or as I'm beginning to suspect, it's more a case, that after you've completed your regular after-hours janitorial functions thereat, you like to linger awhile in the empty corridors and lecture rooms, and read all the technical and medical research data, left laying around after a day of academic excellence?

These reservations of 'credibility' often emerge when an individual's peculiar reaction(s), raises some dubiety ? All you needed to say, you're doing, undergraduate or post graduate work in Psychology, Criminology, Forensic Psychiatry, Rocket Science; even 'Deviant Police Etiquette', if that's what floats your boat; whatever! Instead of hiding behind some notion of anonymity. Really MINOTAUR, you're a worry?

Ahh, osw so I'm a worry am I? Not as much as someone who hides behind the 'I'm just a...of limited intellect.' and veiled insults. And where have I ever stated that my life has been 'lamentable'? Seems to me just another distraction as part of your usually obfuscating comments.

As to my research, some of it has been done as part of degrees where I have studied Education and later majored in Public Policy and when doing my honours in English my subject was an author who suffered from alcoholism so I researched it. In all areas I did research into drug policies and later in life took an interest in rehabilitation. A lot of my research has been purely for personal interest though as drug/alcohol treatment in Australia is abysmal and I've been involved in campaigning for much better funding and facilities.

And when looking at why someone starts using mind/mood altering substances can often go to the very core of how they may act/react when 'high' or 'drunk'. To purely put down an action to one cause, ingestion of drugs and/or alcohol, is stupidity and only a non-inquiring mind would do that.

Minotaur,

You are in no position to throw stones given that I never claimed that Heroin was legal in Aus. That initially I couldn't open your link, and your previous blunders didn't help.

The fact remains that alcohol is nowhere near as addictive as heroin, and heroin is used as a prescription drug for pain relief treatment in many countries contrary to your claims.

Secondly, while your years assisting addicts is laudable, I fail to see its relevance to pharmaceutical uses of diamorphine.

seems to me that Suresh might have received mercy and redemption just like the repentant thief on the cross next to Jesus. I hope so. True redemption though cost the only innocent Man ever to live to die a cruel unjust death. Making anyone else a hero is as unwise as making ex child molestors heroes. Dealing in drugs is just as destructive and selfish and damaging. In saying that it is plain for me to see that every one of us need redemption just like Suresh did. Thank God it was provided for those willing to humble themselves and receive it.

Now there you are MINOTAUR, that wasn't so hard was it! Had you informed us all, precisely what it was you'd done, it would've all made perfect sense, good lad. I bet you feel a whole lot better for it. F.Y.I. I employed the adjective 'lamentable', because most times when folk give voice to 'personal experience'; 'personal' being the operative word. Whereas singularly, 'experience' could be far removed from 'you' or 'yours'.