Pubdate: Sat, 18 Aug 2001
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Copyright: 2001 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Contact:  http://www.abc.net.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/34

HEROIN TRIAL WINS SUPPORT AT DRUG SUMMIT BUT NOT FROM OPPOSITION

The Western Australian Opposition has maintained its stance against heroin 
prescription trials and supervised injecting rooms despite the options 
receiving support at the Community Drug Summit.

Sixty-one people at the summit approved a trial of heroin prescriptions for 
addicts who have failed in other treatments or are unlikely to enter treatment.

Nearly two-thirds of summit delegates voted in favour of considering 
injecting rooms as part of the State Government's new policy on drugs and 
called for the abolition of criminal charges for minor cannabis offences.

The Opposition's spokesman on drugs, Simon O'Brien, agrees some cannabis 
laws are unrealistic, but is not in favour of other recommendations.

"The one that we have a difficulty with is the one relating to heroin 
trials and I want to restate our opposition to that," Mr O'Brien said.

"I think as the debate develops in respect of that particular 
recommendation you will see a lot of community concern about that as well."

The Western Australian Government is due to respond to the recommendations 
by mid-October.
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MAP posted-by: Beth