Having met Dr David Prosser (''Drug doctor 'felt sorry' for addicts'', November 26, p4) as a genuine patient (and not one requiring narcotics), I want to say what a capable, genuine and focused professional he is. He fulfilled a need existing in our community. It needs to be remembered that addicts cannot always access safe help.

Marion Davis, McKellar

LOCATION, LOCATION

How interesting that the Greens included the issue of the re-establishment of an inner-south library as part of their deal with Chief Minister Jon Stanhope (''College extensions not for new public library'', November 26, p1). It seems the issue of the Tuggeranong data centre was not important enough to be included. Perhaps the skills of political lobbyists are more honed and voluble in the inner south.

Gail Allen, Pearce

BACK ON TRACK

I am pleased to see plans for a very fast train are again doing the rounds (''Very fast train tops developers' wish-list'', November 26, p5).

As a nation-building example, it can't be beaten. As a nation we need a new national project, similar in scale to the Snowy Hydro scheme. Something that will invigorate people. Something that goes all the way up the east coast of Australia.

Something like the Maglev.

Joe Murphy, Bonython

HICKS SUPPORT

Good on you, Judy Bamberger (Letters, November 26, p12).

Kathe Fraser, Queanbeyan, NSW

UNDER THE RADAR

Amid the hubbub of the United States elections, an overlooked matter of news was that voters in Washington state passed Initiative 1000 by a vote of 58 per cent to 42.

Initiative 1000 allows mentally competent, terminally ill adults residing in Washington the legal choice to request and self-administer a lethal overdose of medication. It joins Liechtenstein as the most recent jurisdiction to give its citizens the right to choice at their end of life.

Frank Boddy, Lyons

FALSE IMPRESSION

In the article ''Countries pan Asia-Pacific bloc'', (November 27, p4) about the Asia-Pacific Community concept, I am generally correctly quoted by Ross Peake, but the headline gives a false impression about my consultations as special envoy so far. As Peake correctly quotes me, the concept has generally been received positively and with genuine interest.

Richard A. Woolcott, Prime Minister's special envoy