Pubdate: Thu, 04 May 2000
Source: Australian, The (Australia)
Copyright: News Limited 2000
Contact:  http://www.theaustralian.com.au/
Author: John Ellicott

PRESCRIBE HEROIN ON TRIAL: DPP

THERE is a pressing need for a trial of medically prescribed heroin, rather 
than safe injecting rooms, NSW Director of Public Prosecutions Nicholas 
Cowdery said last night.

Mr Cowdery said the "Olympic circus" in Sydney had delayed the introduction 
of the heroin injection room trial in NSW. "Twelve months after the drug 
summit, and probably hundreds of deaths later, we are little closer to the 
commencement of operations of a supervised injecting place," he said.

"The difficulties being encountered in this area highlight the 
irrationality of having supervised injecting places, but unsupervised and 
decidedly unsafe and unlicensed supply of drugs.

"There is a pressing need for a trial - not of injecting premises, but of 
medically prescribed heroin."

Mr Cowdery said there was no legal impediment from international 
conventions for Australia to establish safe injecting rooms.

A "properly conducted and supervised clinical trial involving use of an 
illicit drug" might not be contrary to UN conventions, he said.

Community leaders met at the NSW Parliament last night to discuss the 
outcome of last year's drug summit.

St Vincent's Hospital alcohol and drug services director Alex Wodak said 
the summit had been a success but any judgment on its results should be 
reserved for a further three years.

"One result is clear - the drug summit did not damage the NSW Government 
politically," he said.

"Their political opponents, still supporting a get-tough approach, continue 
to bump along the bottom. Communities no longer fall for populist rhetoric 
about drugs."

Dr Wodak said the success of the summit would be judged by the amount of 
money spent to expand and improve drug treatment and prevention.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart