Source: West Australian, The (Australia) Contact: FAX: +61 8 94823830 Pubdate: Wed, 18 Nov 1998 Author: Francesca Hodge HEROIN TRIAL URGED FOR PERTH THE Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation is urging Perth to take the lead with a controlled heroin trial. Committee member David Stanley, who has closely monitored heroin use in the Netherlands and Switzerland, this week met Perth Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass to discuss a trial. "Australians are entitled to research and trial an idea that can save lives," Mr Stanley said. "It's time the drug trade was taken out of the hands of the mafia and given to the medicos. No one is saying legalise heroin, they're saying let's have controlled availability." At a meeting in Brisbane more than two months ago, lord mayors from around the country decided new approaches were needed to deal with the drugs crisis. However, Dr Nattrass noted that some of the strategies discussed were in conflict with State Government policy. Mr Stanley said that during a Swiss heroin trial, the condition of addicts improved. "Homelessness declined from 15 per cent to 3 per cent, employment went up from 18 per cent to 46 per cent, involvement in crime dropped from 53 per cent to 13 per cent and prostitution fell from 13 per cent to 6 per cent," he said. "Their health improved and they regained their dignity for a start. "In terms of the lord mayors, these are the people who see the impacts of drugs." Mr Stanley, who also supplies needles (sharps) disposal units in Melbourne public toilets, said discarded needles posed a grave risk to public health. The hepatitis C virus could live in a syringe for up to two weeks, he said. Perth City Council chief executive Gary Hunt said yesterday disposal units were already provided in public toilets where there was a problem and people were encouraged to phone the council if they found a needle. "We have looked at (reform) in a broad sense, but we've been working in association with the State Government," Mr Hunt said. - --- Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson