SOCIETY 'IN DENIAL' OVER DRUG CRISIS

Rowdy public meetings about heroin injecting rooms revealed society was in
denial about the drug crisis, the Victorian Government's adviser on drug
policy, David Penington, said yesterday.

Speaking at a drug awareness forum for Victorian school principals, Dr
Penington said that when faced with the reality of drug abuse, people often
chose to deny the facts or pointed the blame elsewhere.

At a forum this month to discuss a trial of heroin injecting facilities in
the City of Greater Dandenong, residents widely criticised Dr Penington.

He said the community's response at the forum - in which he faced loud
protests and abuse from opponents of injecting rooms - was indicative of
society's unwillingness to tackle the issue and take responsibility for it.

"They are yet in the anger stage - anger at open use of drugs on their
streets, anger at crime associated with drugs," said Dr Penington, chairman
of the government's Drug Policy Expert Committee.

"They want somebody else to fix it up. They're not willing to think through
that next stage as to what really might make a difference.

"To many people, the issue of illicit drugs - being illegal - means that
society has said ... the simple answer is: It's all wrong, it's all immoral.
Those that take the moralistic view feel secure in their position and they
don't need to look much further," he said.

It was necessary to move beyond the denial and anger phases in order to
realise the drug problem was as serious - if not more serious - than the
figures showed, he said. Statistics from the Victorian Institute of Forensic
Medicine predicted there would be up to 500 heroin deaths a year by 2005.

Dr Penington called for a more comprehensive response, particularly in light
of growing drug abuse among young people. This would demand society worked
together on the problem, he said.

He praised the Bracks Government's recent funding for law and order, but
said such initiatives did not tackle the root of drug abuse.

"Communities have to tackle it themselves at every level, not just local
government, but with the support of committee organisations, local schools,
local service clubs, local sporting clubs, if we want to influence the
culture of young people in a way that's constructive," Dr Penington said.

To help prevent youths from developing drug habits, society had to create a
culture in which they felt more appreciated for their achievements and
increase their confidence. Also, parents needed to be advised on how to
recognise early signs of drug abuse, so it could be addressed as soon as
possible, he said.