Pubdate: Sun, 2 Mar 2003
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2003 The Age Company Ltd
Contact:  http://www.theage.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5

DRUG CHIEF SLAMS GREENS PROPOSAL

The Prime Minister's chief lieutenant in the war on drugs has
criticised a proposal by the NSW Greens to make heroin and other
illegal drugs available in controlled quantities.

Chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs, Salvation Army
major Brian Watters, also the said allowing illicit substances to be
distributed over the counter would send the wrong message to addicts
and potential users.

Major Watters said the prime minister's "zero tolerance" approach to
drugs had seen a 75 per cent reduction in drug-related deaths in the
past three years and a 25 per cent reduction in people using drugs.

"It would be absolute foolishness when we're beginning to have this
success to change tack and send a message that suggests acceptance,"
he said.

Major Watters rubbished the suggestion addicts could be weaned off
drugs by a strictly monitored supply that was legally available.

"This is the equivalent of us saying if we provide alcoholics with
alcohol they're somehow going to stop drinking," he said.

The Greens today called for an inquiry into the current approach to
drugs policy, saying the present "war on drugs" was failing to save
lives.

NSW MP Lee Rhiannon said while the party did not endorse the sale of
illegal drugs over the counter, it did back the controlled
availability of heroin and possibly other drugs such as speed and ecstasy.

The party's policy also called for personal drug users to be exempt
from criminal charges.

"The current policy of prohibition in NSW has failed to halt the
supply of illicit drugs," Ms Rhiannon said.

"It creates a culture that encourages corrupt activity and civil
liberties continue to be eroded by draconian police search powers."

Major Watters said the call was part of a Greens push for more liberal
drug laws across the board.
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MAP posted-by: Derek