TEST PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR DRUGS: PM'S ADVISER

The man heading the Prime Minister's drug offensive, Major Brian Watters of
the Salvation Army, wants all public servants involved in drafting or
implementing illicit drug programs to undergo compulsory blood tests.

And Major Watters, chair of the Australian National Council on Drugs, wants
all Federal and State politicians -- including the Prime Minister -- to
take voluntary blood tests.

Pointing to a "significant lobby" of NSW public servants pushing for
liberalisation of illicit drug laws, he said any who tested positive should
be immediately removed from their jobs and forced to undergo rehabilitation.

"We can't have people in positions of influence who themselves have a drug
problem," Major Watters said.

He said public servants who had a significant say in drug policies and who
were themselves drug users "can be just as dangerous as someone driving a
bus under the influence of alcohol".

He said several people involved in the formulation of illicit drug policies
had "told me privately" they had smoked marijuana.

He said he was concerned about a number of drug liberalisation policies
being pushed by public servants

and cited pressure to establish "shooting galleries" in Sydney where heroin
addicts could legally inject and proposals in NSW and and ACT for free
heroin use among restricted test groups.

"I believe there is a significant lobby in the civil service of NSW [who]
are driving drug policies who want a more liberal attitude," Major Watters
said.

He said he was referring mainly to health bureaucrats. He also singled out
Victoria, the ACT and South Australia.

Major Watters said compulsory blood tests were common in the United States
where people working in drug programs signed contracts undertaking to stay
drug free.

He said Salvation Army employees working with drug addicts underwent
compulsory and random blood tests.

He said he did not know of any politicians who had used illicit drugs
except for two NSW politicians who had admitted using marijuana.

Major Watters said he would advance his proposals for discussion at the May
meeting of the Australian National Council on Drugs.

Drug Watch Australia backed the idea of tests, with director Ms Jill
Pearman saying she would be willing to take a blood test.

The Prime Minister's office yesterday refused to comment on Major Watters'
comments.

The Communications Minister, Senator Alston, when asked about the
suggestion, said: "What particular drug does he think we're on?"