POLL REVEALS MOOD ON DRUGS TRIAL

Older Australians and country voters have backed Prime Minister John
Howard's stand against a supervised heroin trial but the nation as a whole
is evenly split, according to the latest ACNielsen-AgePoll.

The poll reveals 53 per cent of voters aged over 55 oppose providing
registered heroin addicts with the drug under medical supervision. Support
for a trial was strongest among 18 to 39-year-olds, with more than 50 per
cent in favor.

Overall, 48 per cent of Australians were opposed to a trial and 47 per cent
supported the idea, according to a nationwide survey of 2065 voters last
weekend. The level of support has risen by two points since the last survey
in February, 1999, although the level of opposition remained unchanged.

The National Crime Authority suggested last week that a trial should be
considered and Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said a Labor government would
look at any proposal. Mr Howard's opposition to any trials was supported by
the Australian Federal Police.