HOWARD ATTACKED ON TRIALS

WELFARE and church groups yesterday attacked John Howard's vehement
opposition to Victoria's injecting-room trial, saying his statements
revealed his ignorance on the issue.The Prime Minister criticised the
planned 18-month trial this week, saying it sent a message to young
Australians that drugs were acceptable. He claimed that Victoria had
surrendered in the fight against drug abuse.

Mr Howard said there was little evidence that the rooms saved lives
and he called on the Victorian Liberal Party and local communities to
use any means possible to block the trial.

But Wesley Central Mission's Tim Langley said Australia was making a
mistake by following the US's unsuccessful zero-tolerance policy and
Mr Howard's comments showed how little he knew about the issue.

Reverend Langley said Wesley Central Mission had been ready to open a
safe injecting room in Melbourne's central business district since
last September, but had so far been stymied by State Government
indecision and Federal opposition to the concept.

"I believe his (Mr Howard's) comments indicate he is not well-informed
about the very real progress that has been made for more than 12 years
overseas, and where supervised injecting rooms are now well tried and
proven," he said.

Hanover Welfare Services chief executive Tony Nicholson said Mr
Howard's stand demonstrated a lack of understanding about the perilous
situation addicts found themselves in every day.