OPPOSITION BACKS HEROIN TRIAL MOVE

THE push for heroin trials has received a major boost with the State
Opposition pledging to unite with Labor on the controversial issue.

The Opposition has indicated bipartisan support on several key
drug-related initiatives backed by Labor.

But it remains divided on whether to support injecting rooms, claiming
a lack of detail made it impossible to support the existing proposal.

The Opposition holds the balance of power in the Upper House and can
veto legislation to enact injecting clinics.

This position will change if the Penington committee report in April
provides a "more workable" model.

But Opposition health spokesman Robert Doyle said heroin trials, which
involve the government distribution of the drug, had his support.

However, they would require Commonwealth support and the Prime
Minister, John Howard, is steadfastly opposed to them.

Mr Doyle told the Herald Sun yesterday: "We would support a heroin
trial because we believe that's the sort of nexus we want.

"And you don't have the magnet, not only for the activity, but also
for the people who deal."

Mr Doyle was speaking after the heroin debate flared again when Mr
Howard expressed concern about the legality of injecting rooms in Australia.

This came after the United Nations International Narcotics Control
Board claimed the move flouted an international treaty Australia had
signed.

"I have now been put on notice that there could be a breach and we are
going to have a look at it," Mr Howard said.

"It may well be that the board's interpretation may be an exaggerated
one and that there is no breach."

Mr Doyle said he believed the State Government should spell out more
clearly how it would operate injecting houses.

Before considering supporting the clinics, he said he wanted a greater
police presence, a greater emphasis on outreach work, more
detoxification facilities and alternative drug treatment research.

Mr Doyle said the community needed to be convinced of the merit of
injecting houses.

"What we're saying is 'Show us the proposal first and show us that it
is thought through'," he said. "It's got to be connected to the other
parts of the drugs solution.

"It should not just be about (saying) 'We will keep them alive while
they are injecting in this facility'."

Health Minister John Thwaites said the government would consult
Canberra over Victoria's plans concerning injecting clinics.

"But everyone must set aside their prejudices if we're going to
actually save lives," he said.

Mr Howard ruled out intervening at this stage to halt state trials of
heroin injecting rooms, but urged they be deferred.

However, he left open the option of using external affairs powers to
stop the states from setting up heroin injecting rooms.

While the PM said such action was a long way off, he refused to rule
it out.

"Oh, look that's too far down the track," he said when asked about the
Commonwealth powers.