Pubdate: Sun, 19 Mar 2000
Source: Sun Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 John Fairfax Holdings Ltd
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com.au/
Author: Daniel Dasey

DRUG TEST PUSH FOR EVERY MP

EVERY State and Federal politician from the Prime Minister down would
undergo drug tests in a program devised by one of the country's most
influential policy makers.

Australian National Council on Drugs chairman Brian Watters also wants all
bureaucrats and health workers in drug-related areas forced to undergo
screening.

He believes the private drug use of a handful of policy makers may be
influencing the direction of Australian drug laws.

Major Watters, of the Salvation Army, said any MP or government worker who
tested positive should be removed from their position and placed in a drug
rehabilitation program.

"We can't have intelligent objective drug policy directed by people who
themselves have a drug problem," he said yesterday.

"People who are looked up to and have an interest in resolving the drug
problem should be demonstrably (free of drugs) in their own lives."

Major Watters said he would ask for his plan to be placed on the agenda at
the next Council on Drugs meeting in May.

While he was hand-picked by Mr Howard to chair the council, he stressed the
plan was his own and not officially endorsed by the Salvation Army or the
Council on Drugs.

The council advises the PM and other drug legislators on the direction of
Australia's drug policy.

Drug law reform campaigners and a leading civil liberties group criticised
the plan yesterday.

Opposing what he terms the "normalisation of drug use", Major Watters has
fought against heroin trials, shooting galleries and syringe bins on planes.

He said yesterday his proposal had evolved after reading about the positive
effects of compulsory workplace testing by some US-based companies.

He compared drug testing of MPs and bureaucrats to the screening of police
officers and motorists for drugs and alcohol.

"The MPs are driving something just as serious and important to the
community as people who drive trains or buses or fly planes," he said.

Major Watters said that under his plan MPs and bureaucrats would be
subjected to random urine samples. Those who tested positive would be
subjected to more comprehensive blood tests and, in the case of a second
positive result, removed from duty.

"They would be referred to an employee assistance program for help," he
said.

But former NSW MP and Foundation for Drug Law Reform spokeswoman Ann Symonds
said Major Watters's plan was impractical and would divert money from other
important causes.

"It's just absurd," she said. "He should know that the greatest need for
expenditure of our funds is to go into services for people and families who
need it."

Ms Symonds said while she believed there would be members of parliament who
would approve of the plan, others would be angered.
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