CITY CHIEFS TO TACKLE DRUG CRIME

ALMOST 100 people have been arrested this year for drug dealing or
possession in the city and nearby eastern suburbs. The arrests have
resulted in the seizure of more than 280 grams of heroin and 15 grams
of amphetamines.

The figures were released as Australia's lord mayors met in Adelaide
and vowed to jointly tackle drug problems in capital cities.

At the annual Council of Capital City Lord Mayors, the leaders -
including Adelaide's Alfred Huang - agreed to a national summit on
drug issues and policy.

The 2001 summit will make recommendations to state and federal
governments.

The police figures collected by the Adelaide Operation Mantle drug
enforcement team - specifically set up in 1998 to tackle drug problems
- show 93 arrests have been made for drug possession or dealing since
December.

Mr Huang said Adelaide could benefit by sharing data with other
capital cities on drug-reducing strategies.

"Illicit drugs are devastating our society, not only in human terms
but economically," he said.