Pubdate: Thu, 09 Aug 2001
Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia Wire)
Copyright: 2001 Australian Associated Press

DRUG USE 'NOT A CRIMINAL ISSUE'

Prime Minister John Howard should "wake up, get real" and support a heroin 
trial, the Australian Democrats have argued.

Leader Natasha Stott Despoja said she backed the idea put forward by the 
National Crime Authority.

Mr Howard has said there will be no heroin trial while he is in government, 
claiming figures show a sharp decline in heroin deaths while seizures of 
illegal drugs are up.

But Senator Stott Despoja said heroin abuse was not a criminal issue but a 
health problem.

The NCA said yesterday a government-controlled heroin project could help 
break the hold of organised crime.

Senator Stott Despoja said: "My plea to the prime minister is wake up, get 
real. Just say no to zero tolerance.

"The Australian Democrats recognise that the issue of drug use and abuse in 
our community is not a criminal issue.

"It's a health issue for those people who are addicted and those people who 
are dying, particularly our young people.

"We believe we should investigate a range of options, especially those 
where we have good, overseas examples to show that they may work."

Other countries recognised that zero tolerance did not work, she said.

"The notion of zero tolerance is a joke," she said.

Mr Howard was quite stubborn on the issue and determined not to implement 
alternatives, Senator Stott Despoja said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager