$23M GRANT TO AID DRUG FIRST OFFENDERS

A $23MILLION federal grant will give small-time Victorian drug users a
chance to avoid jail.Prime Minister John Howard will announce the three-year
funding when he visits Melbourne today.

Mr Howard will be joined by Premier Steve Bracks, who is expected to
announce a similar amount of state funding.

The grants – designed to push first-time offenders into rehabilitation
rather than the courts – will be split between community organisations, such
as the Salvation Army.

More than 10,000 Victorians are arrested each year for using but not
trafficking drugs.

They include about 3000 for using heroin and 500 for abusing amphetamines.

The high numbers are a strain on Victoria's court system, representing an
important factor in the federal-state "diversion" program.

Drug users caught for the first time will have to join the program, which is
receiving $100million funding nationwide.

Unless they sign a contract to undertake rehabilitation, they will face
court and possibly jail.

Community groups receiving funding will be expected to provide counselling
and education services, as well as placements at detoxification units.

The diversion option will be open to all first-time offenders, even those
caught for the first time with small amounts of hard drugs, such as heroin
or cocaine.

As part of the Federal Government's $500million "Tough on Drugs" strategy,
today's announcement will be billed as an example of federal and state
governments working together.

Recent months have seen the State Government clash with Mr Howard over
heroin injecting rooms.

Diversion programs are a favorite of Mr Howard. The State Government also
has supported them by operating a pilot program for several years.

The remainder of "Tough on Drugs" funding is being spent on education and
law enforcement.