KERR DISMISSES CLAIMS DRUG STRATEGY IS WORKING

The Federal Opposition has accused the Government for trying to combat drug
use by focussing on seizures, instead of adopting a broad-based community
support program.

A Bureau of Criminal intelligence report has found that during 1999 to 2000
more than 6.5 tonnes of illicit drugs were seized and more than 82,000
arrests made.

The Shadow for Justice, Duncan Kerr, has dismissed government claims that
the report shows a 'tough on drugs' strategy is working.

"There's no doubt that we've seized more drugs over the last few years than
ever before," he said.

"But what this report shows in that there are more on the street than ever
before so the evidence simply is as the seizures are going up so to is
availability and supply."