Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jan 2001 Source: West Australian (Australia) Copyright: 2001 West Australian Newspapers Limited Contact: +61 8 94823830 Website: http://www.thewest.com.au/20010103/ Author: Wendy Pryer O'NEIL SEEKS HOSTEL FUNDS NALTREXONE doctor George O'Neil said yesterday he needed another 50 families to give $1000 each to his Northam heroin rehabilitation hostel so he could pay off the building. Responding to Northam residents"and Labor Party concerns that the hostel may not be run properly due to a shortage of funds, Dr O'Neil said $50,000 of the $350,000 cost already had been paid. Another 53 families had promised $1000 a year but he needed more donations. "We really believe that they will come out of the woodwork," he said. Dr O'Neil also rejected a proposal by Labor drug spokesman Alan Carpenter that the hostel should be set up in the old Sunset hospital building in Premier Richard Court's electorate of Nedlands. He said the old Northam hospital was chosen because addicts wanting to kick the habit needed to get away from their dealers and friends who used drugs. Mr Carpenter criticised Planning Minister Graham Kierath's decision to give the green light to Dr O'Neil's hostel plan for the nurses quarters on the Northam hospital site. Mr Kierath overturned Northam Town Council's wishes on the grounds that the hostel was in line with the building's former use. Mr Carpenter said given Mr Court was so keen and the Northam residents were opposed, he should hand over the Sunset hospital building to Dr O'Neil. The Premier attacked Mr Carpenter's suggestion yesterday, pointing out that Dr O'Neil's Subiaco clinic, from which thousands of addicts have been treated, was in his electorate. "This is a serious issue that does not warrant smart alec comments," Mr Court said. Northam mayor Jan Smith said yesterday Mr Kierath's decision smacked of hypocrisy because he had not even seen the Northam site. If he was so concerned about helping the drug addicts, as he had claimed, he would ensure the Northam hostel was funded properly and managed properly. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake