CHIKAROVSKI CALLS FOR MORE DRUG PREVENTION LEADERSHIP

New South Wales Opposition leader Kerry Chikarovski has welcomed delegates
to the national drug summit to State Parliament in Sydney, urging them to
develop policies for drug harm prevention.

Ms Chikarovski said tougher leadership was required to stop street dealing
of illicit drugs.

She also used her greeting to again attack plans for a trial drug injection
room in Sydney, saying it would do nothing to get people off drugs.

The summit has been opened by the chairman of the Prime Minister's drug
task force, the Salvation Army's Major Brian Watters, and will run for
three days.

An open letter from John Howard reiterating his opposition to illegal drug
use will be read at the summit.

Mr Howard's letter emphasises his belief that the drug problem should be
tackled through preventative measures such as education and policing.