HOWARD'S HEROIN STANCE ILL-INFORMED: DRUG GROUPS

Prime Minister John Howard was ill-informed and obstinate in his opposition
to prescription heroin trials, Family and Friends for Drug Law Reform said
yesterday.

President Brian McConnell pleaded with the Prime Minister to look at the
evidence from Switzerland and the Netherlands' trials which showed heroin
on prescription helped drug users.

Directions ACT (Assisting Drug Dependents) executive director Karen Harmon
said Mr Howard's flat-out refusal to consider a heroin trial was "extremely
disappointing".

The comments came after ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope petitioned Mr
Howard to make heroin available on prescription.

He also lobbied his state and territory counterparts to support the jointly
funded national trial which was backed by the Victorian and Western
Australian Governments.

Mr Stanhope said a heroin prescription trial was a "potentially
life-saving" option for users and could be the only way to combat the
heroin black market.

Mr Howard ruled out the trial, saying it was unnecessary, would undermine
treatment efforts and sent the wrong message to the community.

Mr McConnell said Mr Howard's stance was "stubborn" and sent the wrong message.

"It is difficult to see how saving lives, improving health and reducing
crime sends the wrong message," he said.

"The real message [from the Federal Government] is certain people in the
community, who don't respond to other drug treatments, are expendable."

Mr McConnell said Mr Stanhope deserved a "pat on the back" for the campaign
and would earn the ACT community's respect for taking a stand.

Ms Harmon said Mr Howard's position was "extremely out of step" with views
held by drug and alcohol support workers who supported the Chief Minister.