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.

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Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson