Illegality of drugs is the problem Lifestyler applicants

If John Bishop ( Science unsettled, Sept 17) is looking for problems with recreational drugs he need look no further than alcohol for real researched facts about damage.

The National government under John Key spent millions on an ‘‘alcohol review’’ and failed to even ban the advertising of this dangerous drug.

Alcohol accounts for over 75 per cent of violent crime, half the A&E admissions. It is responsible for at least 35 per cent of psychiatric hospital admissions and much domestic violence. It damages the liver, brain and oesophagus. It can cause profound birth defects. It contributes to suicide. Why do we advertise it?

I amanti-prohibition of any drug. It is the illegality that creates the problem. The need to commit crime to pay for drugs is totally avoidable with judicious legislation. Prohibition in the US created organised crime and the ‘‘war on drugs’’ exponentially increased the crime cartels and the problems and misery for ordinary people.

Let’s be rational about cannabis and create legislation that bans advertising of any recreational drug, protects young people and limits the strength of those products.

Paul Matthews, Titahi Bay

The story of Imke Herzog and Gregor Paetz ( Anxious migrants face long waits, Sept 18) cuts no ice with me.

In a previous career as a recruiter, I quickly became aware of Immigration NZ’s attitude to lifestyler applicants like this couple. Even with highly skilled IT professionals, as soon thewords ‘‘Golden Bay’’ werementioned at interview or in documentation, the case was quietly binned.

Isn’t it time we stopped writing and falling for sob stories that have no economic basis and simply try to gain traction via our gullibility.

Rob Harris, Dannevirke