DRUGS COUNCIL TO DEVELOP WAR

The Victorian Government will set up an independent drug prevention council
to advise on drug education and prevention strategies following yesterday's
joint sitting of parliament on the drugs issue.

But Premier Steve Bracks last night ruled out a push by former chief police
commissioner Neil Comrie to establish a powerful statutory authority to
direct statewide drug prevention and education programs.

The Premier's drug prevention council, which will report to Mr Bracks and
to parliament, will be charged with monitoring and devising drug education
and prevention strategies, recommending new policy direction and
commissioning research.

Mr Bracks said the government would guarantee $25 million a year towards
drug services in a bid to give financial security to non-government
organisations.

He also announced that a $2.4 million advertising campaign would start in
June, targeting young people considering experimenting with cannabis.

The government's support for the council was at odds with the conservative
parties, both of which called for more powerful organisations to direct
anti-drug efforts.

Opposition Leader Denis Napthine said his party "wholeheartedly endorsed"
Mr Comrie's suggestion for an independent statutory authority.

Dr Napthine said the new authority should have the capacity to scour the
world to recruit experts and undertake research on drug prevention.

National Party leader Peter Ryan said there had been enough talk on the
issue and now it was time for action.

Mr Comrie told yesterday's meeting that the political process was "no
longer appropriate for dealing with the critical issue of drug abuse".

He said the limitations of the political party system had effectively
stymied progress in combating drugs and an independent authority was the
best way to remove the issue from the political battlefield.

The authority, Mr Comrie said, would devise and coordinate statewide
efforts to combat the drug problem, including undertaking research,
devising new programs and strategies and supporting community and
non-government initiatives.

Victoria's leading drug policy expert, Dr David Penington, suggested that,
rather than creating a statutory authority, the government appoint a
council to advise it on drug education and early intervention programs.

Dr Penington said campaigns that told young people to "Just say no" to
drugs had failed. An independent council could monitor programs and
research to identify the most effective strategies to prevent drug use.

Mr Ryan called for the creation of the Victorian Institute for the Care and
Treatment of Rehabilitating Youth, which would coordinate all existing drug
programs in the state and set the strategic framework for the fight against
drugs.

Mr Bracks said last night that he hoped the new council would be "above
politics" and have a similar profile to VicHealth.

Mr Comrie will be invited to sit on the new council, but Mr Bracks said a
separate statutory authority was inappropriate.

Mr Comrie said last night he was encouraged by yesterday's proceedings and
the commitment by the three party leaders to a bipartisan approach.

"The test will ultimately be what's delivered as a result of these
discussions," he said.