Pubdate: Fri, 4 Dec 1998 Source: Advertiser, The (Australia) Page: 9 Contact: http://www.advertiser.com.au/ Author: Phillip Coorey, Political writer SENATORS 'AT WAR' OVER DRUG DRAMA CANBERRA: THE "drug war" between two prominent South Australian senators escalated yesterday, causing the Australian Democrats and the Opposition to attack the Justice Minister, Senator Vanstone. The attacks came after Senator Vanstone again pursued Democrats Senator Natasha Stott Despoja on her attitude towards recreational drug use. In parliament yesterday, Senator Vanstone claimed the Democrats "only want education and only want harm minimisation and say we are putting too much money into law enforcement". "This Government is happy to be tough on drugs. If the Democrats want to go soft on drugs, that is entirely up to them," she said. Senator Stott Despoja, who does not "do illegal drugs", said the attack on her was "one of the tackiest displays of point-scoring I have ever seen in this place". "I ... pointed out at that conference (International Conference on Drugs and Young People) that the two single biggest drug problems facing young Australians are alcohol and tobacco," she said. "Yet a Justice Minister can go on Burke's Backyard and parade her cellar full of alcohol and that is considered okay and good publicity." On Tuesday, Senator Vanstone virtually accused Senator Stott Despoja of condoning illegal drug use. Senator Vanstone had seized on reported comments Senator Stott Despoja made at the November 22 conference and challenged her to "fess up" on her views on recreational drug use. Senator Stott Despoja had told the conference the Government's "Tough on Drugs" strategy was too dependent on law enforcement. She urged greater understanding because some people enjoyed their recreational use. The clash between the pair is not the first. Last year, Senator Vanstone played up tensions between Senator Stott Despoja and the then Democrats leader, Cheryl Kernot. She quoted Ms Kernot as having said there was "only room for one blonde in the Democrats". Senator Stott Despoja had replied Senator Vanstone should not ridicule opponents on the basis of appearance. Senator Vanstone had said she had nothing against blondes and that Senator Stott Despoja clearly didn't either. "Otherwise, why would she dye her hair that color?" Senator Vanstone said. An angry Democrats Leader, Senator Meg Lees, said Senator Vanatone's latest comments shoved "complete lack of understanding of what was needed to seriously tackle this problem". Labor senators also attacked Senator Vanstone, with Senator John Faulkner calling her "a serial misleader of the Senate". - --- Checked-by: Patrick Henry