DRUG COUNCIL TO TACKLE SOFTER DRUGS WITH YOUNG AUSTRALIANS

The head of the recently re-shaped National Drugs Council is setting up a
youth roundtable to help advise the Federal Government on youth drug issues.

Debate over this week's shake up of the Australian National Council on
Drugs has been dominated by cries for more harm minimisation strategies and
adequate representation of all groups affected by drug abuse.

But chairman, Salvation Army General Brian Watters, says after consulting
communities around the country the real priorities for the council will be
marijuana and alcohol and in particular, their affect on young people.