Detox Centre
MOST PEOPLE who work within the mental health system are aware of the high incidence of comorbidity, being mental health plus drug and/or alcohol abuse.
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However, mental health services and the alcohol and drug services are not coordinated together to help the patient.
The patient is all too often fobbed off to one of the services, whereas they should be working together.
Launceston, a major population centre, has no dedicated detox facilities.
Alcohol withdrawal can and does kill.
Launceston needs an evidence-based holistic treatment for drug abuse.
Until this is done, the vulnerable will continue to fall through the cracks.
Addiction is not a lifestyle choice.
It is a living hell and those affected need all the help, and compassion they can get.
Stop judging and start helping.
Rowena Sweeney, Invermay.
Passing Rule
I WRITE in response to Steve Rogers’ letter regarding the 1.5-metre passing rule for cyclists (The Examiner, November 13).
Firstly, congratulations to you and the other driver for your reported "patience" without resorting to unsafe driving and "respecting" other road users.
Secondly please consider walking or riding the "four-minute drive" to get your daily paper.
1. less congestion on our roads,
2. less pollution in our air,
3. and improved health outcomes for yourself.
Nearly all road users I encounter, as both a driver and rider, are increasingly showing mutual respect and understanding.
Well done, Launceston.
Warren McDonough, Riverside.
Justine Keay citizenship
THERE IS all this noise and ho ha with politicians and dual citizenship, and some being ejected from parliament.
They only had dual citizenship because of their parents’ birth and were not aware of it, yet here we have Justine Keay admitting she knew of her dual citizenship.
But, she did nothing about it after putting up her hand to go into parliament by first nominating as a candidate, and then still left it to after so knew she was going to be elected before finalising her renunciation, because she knew she could not get it back.
This to me is the one person who should not be representing us in parliament as she does not really want to be one of us (fully Australian) unless she gets all the lurks and perks of a parliamentarian.
Kick her out of parliament.
John Collins, Perth.
A Real Australian
I WAS thinking about all those members of Parliament who have had to resign because they have dual citizenship.
I suddenly realised that I could never stand as a candidate for election to Parliament in Canberra.
Both of my parents were born overseas.
My father was born in Penguin and my mother was born in Wynyard.
I am a dual citizen of Tasmania and the mainland.
I really do want to be an Australian, so I will write to the Department of Immigration and assure them that (1) I have been a permanent resident of Australia for the past 68 years; (2) I am of good character; (3) I have a basic knowledge of the English language; (4) I have an adequate knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship; and (5) I intend to reside or maintain a close and continuing association with Australia.
I will attend a citizenship ceremony at the Town Hall (if my application is successful), I will renounce my citizenship of the state of Tasmania, I will swear allegiance to my new country, and then, at last, I will be a real Australian.
Hugh Elphinstone, Victoria.
Remembrance Day
AS THE son of a late Anzac (World War II and Korean war), for more than half a century, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, I’ve stood to attention (out of respect) and afforded a minute silence to all the Australians and its allies who put their lives on the line during “all the wars”.
I also spare a thought for the thousands who he government “forced” to go overseas through “conscription”.
They weren’t showing cowardice by not enlisting, they simply did not believe in war full stop, or did not believe in getting involved in someone else’s war.
The conscripts (as they were called) suffered heavy losses as they weren’t as well trained as the enlisted men.
I also spare a thought for all the women, whose job as nurses was to treat, nurse and comfort the injured, sick and dying men.
Lest We Forget.
A.R. Trounson, Needles.
Jacqui Lambie
NO DOUBT there will be sighs of relief in certain quarters of the Senate as Jacqui Lambie becomes another victim of this debacle surrounding dual citizenship.
Love her or hate her, she at least had the intestinal fortitude to speak her mind and say it as she saw it. She called a spade a shovel. In my opinion, she will be sadly missed as she was willing to give it a go.
I hope that we will see her again after this shambles is sorted.
David J.Perry, St Helens.
New Buses
I WAS on a bus this morning talking to the driver about the new buses to be built on the North West Coast.
He told me that they were all going to Hobart and we were going to get their old ones.
I am an avid user of the buses.
There has been a number of times that the bus has stopped for passengers and there has been someone in a wheelchair that couldn't get on because the bus is old and has no ramp.
So Launceston has to be the poorer cousin.
What a shame, Rene Hidding, because you used to live in Launceston.
Mr Cecil Neil Guy, Youngtown.