Addictions can be debilitating and life destroying for many people and getting help is extremely difficult, particularly in Tasmania.   When that help can be accessed it can take months or years for recovering addicts to be able to return to living a life free from the horrible effects of addiction. To trivialize addiction by labeling it a “lifestyle choice” is to ignore exactly what addiction is and what it does and belittles those who are unfortunate enough to be in its grip.

AT LAST a light has gone on in someone's head and suddenly, after years of churning out children who have no basic skills, we have the basics taught again at school.  Now the children will have to learn grammar, punctuation and so on. They will be reading Jane Austen and Shakespeare as well. Not so sure about the latter as having lived eight miles from Stratford we had our doses of old Will at the theatre and the most exciting thing that happened was someone rolling Jaffas down the aisle. However, anything to get correct spelling and decent sentences. Also with maths and science. Congratulations and let's hope we have the teachers who can translate it to the students and make them enthusiastic to learn and come out of school without needing remedial sessions at university.

IF THE cyclists using St Leonards Road on a Wednesday morning wish to be treated with respect, how about you follow the road rules and give way to vehicles entering the roundabout on your right instead of barging your way through. The traffic code applies to you as well as me.

MOIRA Wells calls to stop Greens bashing (The Examiner, February 21). It might serve well to understand why the party is targeted. Its members and supporters see themselves as Gaia’s avenger. No law or government is legitimate. They argue for the sake of arguing. It doesn’t matter what rights companies such as Gunns have or what ruling the courts pass or who is hurt to get their own way.

If the Greens do not like it then it must be stopped. All of this would be understandable except they mess with people’s lives. They drive Tasmanians out of work.

Perhaps the Greens can do something to stop the bashing.

AT THE risk of seeming ignorant and ungrateful, am I the only one who is puzzled why such long sections of the Midland Highway are ripped up and then left unsealed for an interminable length of time? One understands that equipment and manpower must be suitably deployed but a question arises. We live in one of the most benign ranges of temperature on the planet. Why so long and why so many sections at the one time?

ANOTHER Festivale successfully concluded in ideal, moderate weather. We particularly enjoyed the PCYC Taiko drummers and the KPMG dance stage.

As a showcase for the wonderful things Tasmania produces, I am always disappointed that local acts don’t provide the major main stage performances. I am sure that Luca Brasi at Party in the Paddock, would have a great drawcard.