VIC LIBERAL MPS ASKED TO CONSIDER DRUG VIEWS

The Victorian Health Minister, John Thwaites, has urged Liberal MPs to heed
an open letter from prominent Australians endorsing supervised heroin
injecting rooms.

The Government needs Opposition support in Parliament to trial the
facilities.

The Opposition will today receive a long anticipated briefing on supervised
heroin injecting facilities from expert speakers.

It comes as a group, including scientists, sporting identities and a family
court judge published a letter in today's newspapers pleading for support
for the controversial proposal.

Mr Thwaites says the letter is a positive step which sends a clear message.

"The fact that we've got top scientists and others now supporting the trial,
surely should influence the Liberal Party to give this trial a chance," Mr
Thwaites said.

The Shadow Health Minister, Robert Doyle, expects the party to make a
decision on the proposal before Parliament resumes next month.