Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) Copyright: 2004 The Sydney Morning Herald Contact: http://www.smh.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/441 Note: Edited by Andrew Hornery with Bonnie Malkin Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?131 (Heroin Maintenance) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) SLOW ON THE DRAW In the wake of Mark Latham's admission that he tried marijuana in his youth, the Health Minister, Tony Abbott, and the NSW Premier, Bob Carr, have been sucked into the dope debate. Latham made headlines at the weekend by telling journalists he used cannabis in his youth. "Yes, I did, and I have got to own up I did inhale. So there you go. How about that?" Latham said, refusing to elaborate. In 1992, former US president Bill Clinton admitted trying marijuana, telling a reporter: "I didn't like it. I didn't inhale." Yesterday on Sunday Sunrise, Abbott was asked about smoking weed by Seven's chief political correspondent, Mark Riley. Riley: Mark Latham admitted yesterday smoking marijuana. He won't say when or how often. Is this important? Should he give a detailed account of his illicit drug use now? Abbott: That's really a matter for him. The important thing is not whether or not he might have smoked dope in the past. The important thing is, what is his policy now? As far as the Government's concerned, our policy is to be tough on drugs. Our policy is that we oppose injecting rooms, we oppose heroin trials, and no one knows where the Labor Party stands on these things. Riley: And marijuana - have you smoked marijuana? Abbott: Ah, look, haven't I put enough skeletons out of the closet over the last few weeks? Riley: Well, you're in that mood. How about another one? Abbott: (laughs) Riley: Well, it's a fair question, isn't it? You're Health Minister and you're talking about drug policy. Abbott: Look, I had a puff on a marijuana cigarette when I was a student. Riley: Right. Did you inhale? Abbott: Um, I don't inhale normal cigarettes, let alone illegal cigarettes. Riley: So, what? Did Bill Clinton roll this reefer? Abbott: I'm afraid, in this matter, Bill Clinton and I have something in common. Bob Carr handled the dope question in his own inimitable way yesterday. Asked whether he ever smoked marijuana, Carr said: "I refer you to my previous answer: I haven't smoked it and when I didn't smoke it I didn't inhale." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake