PM NAMES HIS NEW DRUG PANEL

Prime Minister John Howard, criticised for stacking his drugs advisory
board with advocates of zero tolerance, yesterday announced the board's new
makeup.

The seven new members reflected the changing focus of the council and
continued to represent a wide range of views and expertise, Mr Howard said
in a statement.

But the appointments were criticised by drug users, family support groups
and Labor.

Opposition health spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said:

"The drugs debate needs to involve a variety of voices and a variety of
solutions, not only those the Prime Minister wants to hear."

New members of the board include David Crosbie, executive director of
Odyssey House Victoria and a supporter of evidence-based drugs policy;

Anne Bressington, founder of the SA DrugBeat program and a zero tolerance
advocate; Nick Gill, manager of the Drug and Alcohol Association in Alice
Springs; Julie Hanbury from the Parent Drug Information Service in WA;
Professor John Saunders from Queensland; Terry Woolley from the Secondary
Principals Association and Garth Popple from drug user group We Help Ourselves.