CHIKAROVSKI STEPS UP THE PRESSURE ON DRUG LAWS

The NSW Opposition Leader, Mrs Chikarovski, yesterday stepped up pressure on
the State Government not to liberalise drug laws.

She backed a recent warning by the Prime Minister, Mr Howard, that NSW could
become the drug capital of the southern hemisphere.

The Government is due to report to Parliament in two weeks on its response
to the recommendations of the Drug Summit, which include trials of safe
injecting rooms and a police caution system for personal use of cannabis.

Mr Howard has repeatedly said NSW would become a magnet for drug addicts and
drug dealers, as well as crime, if proposals to relax drug laws were
adopted.

Responding to Sunday newspaper claims that marijuana was being sold over the
counter at a Kings Cross restaurant, Mrs Chikarovski asked: "If this is
what's happening in Sydney now, what will happen if those laws are freed up
more?

"Clearly, what we're concerned about is that Sydney will get a reputation as
the drug capital of the southern hemisphere.

"If you free up the laws in the way that's being proposed, that's certainly
going to be a consequence."

Mrs Chikarovski said she was "absolutely shocked" to learn that the cafe had
existed for some time, despite police knowing about it. "They have an
obligation to enforce the laws and make sure that it doesn't continue to
operate in the way it does."

Police issued a statement yesterday promising to investigate the restaurant
again. Kings Cross police have already raided the cafe several times.

But Mrs Chikarovski claimed the Premier, Mr Carr, and the Police Minister,
Mr Whelan, had failed to enforce the law.

"They didn't do it when the Wayside Chapel was operating. They are not doing
it now," she said.

The National Party declared its opposition to any liberalisation at the
opening of the Drug Summit.

At its annual conference on Friday, the National Party backed its leader, Mr
Souris, in calling for harsher penalties for drug sellers and manufacturers.