Like Mr Texilake, I want to find workable solutions. Alcohol-free zones alone are not an effective long-term solution.
In a 2007 submission supporting the establishment of an alcohol-free zone in South Sydney, Kristina Keneally said: "Alcohol-free zones are not sufficient and our approach to street drinking must also try to assist the street drinkers themselves.
I strongly encourage the Lord Mayor to take leadership on this issue, indeed I cannot see why the council could not implement a wet centre in its own municipal area." However, alcohol-free zones continue to multiply, and no one has "taken leadership on this issue".
Wet centres are an effective short- and long-term solution - they get people off the streets and give them access to counselling, medical and detoxification services. It's time to move past an "out of sight, out of mind" response.
Joanna Shulman, Chief executive, Redfern Legal Centre
Read the letter on the Sydney Morning Herald website.
