STATE GOVERNMENT ALLOCATES DRUG SUMMIT CASH

Drug addicts in New South Wales will soon be able to undergo detoxification
at home, as recommended by last year's Drug Summit.

The NSW government announced today it had allocated $1.5 million over the
next two years to fund seven home detox teams.

The home detoxification program is among the first to be allocated funds
after its recommendation to the state government last year by Drug Summit
delegates.

The state government also revealed it had begun allocating cash across the
state to fund other initiatives recommended by summit.

Special Minister of State John Della Bosca said today that letters
allocating $14 million would be sent to 17 area health services.

He said total funding for drug and alcohol treatment has been boosted by $93
million over four years.

'Teams of experts in health, police, justice, education and corrective
services are working to implement all of the summit recommendations accepted
by the government in July, 1999,' Mr Della Bosca said.

'This new money will allow us to treat an estimated 23,450 people over the
next four years.'