ALTHOUGH I sympathise with the dilemma of Amanda Healy and her son, who was pricked by a discarded hypodermic syringe, I cannot sit back and ignore Eric Leaver's comments on drug users (LET, August 7).

Who is he to label these people as scum? Druggies, as he chooses to call them, are somebody's son, daughter, mother father, brother or sister, and often come from very good backgrounds.

Yes, I agree that there are careless users in the community, as there are thoughtless drink drivers, alcoholics, thieves, not to mention sex offenders and murderers, all of whom are given support from outside agencies, and all of which is paid for by, yes, you have got it, we taxpayers.

So, come on, Mr Leaver, come out of your happy little world, take time out from criticising the do-gooders and go see for yourself exactly what the do-gooders do. You will then see for yourself that the local needle exchange you refer to doesn't just dish out needles but have very strict policies.

I suggest you visit the Jarman Centre: you also take a trip (pardon the pun) to the East Lancs drug team, Lifeline East Lancashire, or visit the THOMAS project.

I, like many others, feel that should you have a better insight to this ever-increasing problem, you may then not be so quick to label and judge the druggies and the do-gooders.

I hope that you or any of your family never encounter the problems.

But if you do, remember, there are plenty of do-gooders out there who are more than happy to help you.

VIVIENNE HOYLE (address received)