UN SLAMS STATES' DRUG STANCE

THE United Nations has criticised Australian states for challenging the
Federal Government's anti-heroin injection room stance. The UN's
International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) said the continuing rise in
heroin deaths and the accessibility of heroin was a major problem facing
Australia.

In its annual report, the board also noted the price of the drug had
fallen, its purity remained high and arrests for criminal offences
involving heroin had increased sharply since 1997.

Therefore the focus in Australia needed to be on measures to reduce the
number of heroin abusers, it said.

"Harm reduction should not become a goal in itself or be adopted at the
expense of a strong commitment to reduce both the supply of and demand for
illicit drugs," the INCB said.

"Some states unfortunately challenge the policy of the Federal Government
and choose to support policies that run counter to the treaty obligation
limiting the use of drugs to medical and scientific purposes only, by
establishing heroin injecting rooms where illicitly obtained drugs can be
injected under supervision."

The opening of Australia's first legal heroin injecting room was delayed
again in January after opponents won an undertaking from the New South
Wales Government that the controversial trial would be suspended until the
Supreme Court decided its future in March.

The Uniting Church had been given formal approval to begin operations in
Sydney's red light district of Kings Cross, after the Vatican overruled the
participation of the Sisters of Charity.

The $1.8 million medically supervised injecting room, now unlikely to
become operational until early next year, has been plagued by delays since
it was first mooted in May last year.

The Victorian Labor government, also trying to get a trial underway, is
struggling to get support from any quarter.

Injecting rooms also became an issue at the recent West Australian election
with Labor stating they should be considered at a drugs summit. The issue
is expected to be a factor in the ACT's October 20 poll.

In its report, the INCB also said it was concerned about the high social
acceptance of illicit drugs and the large number of people in favour of the
legalisation of drugs in Australia.

"Indicators show that globally Australia is among the countries with the
most widespread cannabis abuse," it said.

"The board notes, however, that the majority of Australians are not in
favour of the legalisation of cannabis."