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