The irate taxpayer who so scornfully derided the pitifully small actions that are being taken to contain the spread of Aids should focus on the safety of the good, clean citizens in our society. He is misguided in feeling that a message condoning the use of drugs is either being given or received.

Indeed, it is hard to imagine that this package will attract any new drug user and as for enabling people to live longer, and as a Christian, I feel that it is a moral imperative to act in the best interests of all in society.

Whilst it is easy to talk of people with drug problems as if they were aliens, they are the relatives of people like the writer and me. We have all known someone who, at some point or other, went off the rails.

Similarly, we have all hoped that the person would recover their senses. Let us remember that someone somewhere probably cares in the case of these unfortunate people. Indeed, would the irate taxpayer feel so vehemently if a grown child of his was the recipient of the government's largesse?

Furthermore, the application of labels like 'drug user' and 'addict' to describe these poor, confused people only serves to promulgate the myths surrounding the illegal ways that mankind attempts to alleviate his condition.

This stereotyping fails to recognise that drugs have entered all levels of society. Until there is properly funded and implemented education and treatment, the use of illegal narcotics will become increasingly widespread. Both its availability and media references, particularly in entertainment, will contribute to this.

The pompous politicians who decry the efforts of those who do too little too late are like King Cnut in their quest to stem the inevitable tide. I credit the irate taxpayer with more sense and remind him that as so much tax is wasted, perhaps he could get angry about the money that isn't spent on our safety?