FINES PLAN FOR NEEDLE DUMPERS

THE State Government will slap $3000 fines on drug users who discard
syringes in parks and other public places.

However, Brisbane City Council yesterday described the move as
unenforceable and urged the Government to concentrate on rehabilitation and
diversion projects to counter rising drug use.

Council community policy chairman David Hinchliffe said the council
collected 350,000 used needles in public places between March last year and
February.

"Fining people who drop needles is like finding a needle in a haystack," Cr
Hinchliffe said.

"It's unenforceable."

Premier Peter Beattie said new regulations being finalised would double
existing penalties and would allow for jail sentences for those who refused
to pay fines.

He said a strong message had to be sent that the public and the Government
were "horrified" by the way some people disposed of needles.

The new regulations would be enforced by police, the Environmental
Protection Agency, Queensland Transport and council inspectors.