HOWARD DENIES ZERO TOLERANCE ON DRUG BOARD MEMBERS

The Prime Minister has denied that members of his drugs advisory body
will not be reappointed because they do not support his zero
tolerance approach to drugs policy.

Five out of 15 members of the National Council on Drugs are to be
replaced at the end of this month.

One of the members who will not be reappointed is Tony Trimingham
from Family Drug Support.

He says it is because of his support for harm minimisation approaches
to dealing with drug abuse, like providing clean needles, methadone
programs, safe injecting rooms and heroin trials.

"Very reluctantly I have to admit this looks like it's becoming a
cheer squad rather than an independent, non-government body," he said.

But the Prime Minister says such claims are wrong, and the new
appointments will add to the range of expertise on the council.

Mr Howard says any suggestion members are chosen by him because they
support one particular approach runs against the central ethos of the
council.

The new appointments are yet to be formally announced, although those
who will not be reappointed have had it confirmed by the head of the
council.

A peak organisation representing families and friends of drug users
has lashed out at the reshuffle of the Prime Minister's drugs
advisory body.

Brian McConnell, from Families and Friends for Drug Law Reforms, says
it is a great loss.

"After the Ryan by-election the Prime Minister [was] saying he was
listening to the community, but this sacking really shows that he's
not listening to families dealing with drug problems."