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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth