FDS Insight Newsletter Jul-Sep 2020

13 tell lies, cheat on their partners and show a callous disregard for the suffering of refugees. But note that none of these things are illegal. We don’t arrest our politicians. It’s not illegal in most circumstances even to fail to render assistance to someone who is injured or dying. But it is illegal to put a needle in your own arm if it contains heroin and not insulin- I am writing this on Palm Sunday. I attended the rally for refugees. So did one of my sons. We listened to speeches urging a repeal of the Border Protection Act and a recognition of our common humanity. Later, he met up with his brother for their weekly basketball game. It was a late evening game so I weakened and picked them up afterwards. The days of driving them around are not quite over. Another son spent the day rehearsing a show for Melbourne’s Comedy Festival. His last show was Catch 22, about the absurdity of another war. My daughter had lunch with her boyfriend, who is a refugee from East Timor. They caught a tram home afterwards and he stayed with her until I got back from basketball. Tomorrow they will go to school, work and university; they will keep appointments; they will see friends; they will make plans. I’m proud of them all. Among all the comings and goings of this day, one of the family made a trip to the chemist. ‘What does the methadone do for you?’ I asked one day. ‘It keeps me warm,’ was the reply. This daily journey, part of a much longer one towards inner peace and warmth, need make no difference to anyone else’s day. What difference would it have made if heroin rather than methadone could have been provided there? Not My Family Never My Child A guide for families affected by drugs Members $20; Non-members $24.95 plus $6.60 postage Please phone/fax or email/mail us in the office. Phone (02) 4782 9222 to pay by credit card. Fax: (02) 4782 9555; Email: general@fds.ngo.org.au Mailing address: PO Box 7363, Leura NSW 2780 Signed copies are available upon request.