Source: West Australian, The (Australia)
Contact: FAX: +61 8 94823830
Pubdate: Wed, 28 Oct, 1998
Page: 43
Author: Wendy Pryer

AIRLINE CRITICISED FOR SAFE NEEDLES PLAN

THE State Government has written to Ansett Airlines to complain about its
decision to provide bins on planes so drug users can dispose of needles
safely.

Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker told the Legislative
Assembly yesterday the policy sent a message that illicit drug use was
acceptable.

Her letter says: "This initiative sends out the message to Ansett passengers
and the community at large, that intravenous drug use on aircraft is normal
and accepted behaviour.

"I view this move by a company with your standing in the community as a step
towards the normalisation of drugs in the community," it says.

In the letter, Mrs Parker offered to brief the company on the WA
Government's drug abuse strategy.

She said in WA, the Government promoted opposition to drug use and help for
those trying to give up drugs, including harm minimisation strategies such
as the provision of needles and syringes and their "appropriate disposal".

Labor frontbencher Alannah MacTiernan, a member of the Australian
Parliamentary Group for Drug Law Reform, said the Government response was
ludicrous.

She said the Government could well have provided the needles being discarded
unsafely on Ansett planes.

"This is (Ansett's policy) simply a harm minimisation exercise and Mrs
Parker should be able to explain why it should not be supported whereas the
actual provision of needles is," Ms MacTiernan said.

Ansett defended its policy, saying it was not aware of criticism from other
State governments.

Ansett spokesman Peter Young said yesterday six syringes had been found on
planes in the past six weeks. They were often discarded down the backs of
seats and posed a great danger to staff and passengers.

He said the airline first noticed a problem in 1995.

Mr Young rejected any suggestion that the policy encouraged drug use and
said Ansett handed people suspected of using drugs on planes over to the
police.

He said drug authorities, the Australian Medical Association, the AIDS
Foundation and treatment centres had supported safe disposal of needles on
planes.

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Checked-by: Don Beck