DEPUTY MAYOR CALLS FOR LEGAL HEROIN SUPPLY

Vincent Town Council's deputy mayor David Drewett has called for
government-controlled, legal heroin as a solution to the war against drugs.

He said that "cutting out the middle man" meant drugs would be purer and
safer.

Legal heroin would save the government billions and the criminal aspect of
drug use -- including prostitution and home burglaries -- would be
eliminated, Mr Drewett told Voice News.

Curtin University addictions studies lecturer, Dr Ali Marsh said the plan
had some merit, but warned that legalisation allowed little margin for
error.

"The war on drugs has definitely been lost," Dr Marsh said.

She said further investigation into safe injecting places was needed.

Vincent mayor John Hyde said this week that a national local government
conference had "narrowly rejected" heroin trials. He said the Town has not
endorsed injecting rooms and Mr Drewett's position was "personal".