CALL FOR UNITY IN WAR ON DRUGS

A TRUCE should be called between the major political parties to help avoid
the heroin death toll rising further, the state's key drugs adviser has
warned.

Prof. David Penington last night called for the parties to shun political
opportunism.

The plea comes as sections of the divided Liberal and National parties have
been publicly questioning moves by the Labor Government to reform state
drug laws.

Prof. Penington called for a new way of solving the drug dilemma, which
would include decriminalising marijuana, but he hosed down the likelihood
of ACT-style heroin trials here in the short term at least.

He said heroin injecting houses, which have slashed death rates in some
European countries, should be tried as soon as "adequate safeguards are in
place".

"This (drug reform) issue is inevitably emotive; combative party politics
could so easily be generated and prevent us from curbing the mounting death
toll," he said last night.

"With the current glut of opium in South East Asia, Australia is more at
risk than almost any other country. We must make a fresh start in the
interests of future generations of our young people."

Prof. Penington made his comments while delivering the Alfred Deakin
Lecture at Melbourne University, in what was a detailed assessment of drug
reform.

It was his first major statement on drugs since being appointed by Premier
Steve Bracks to oversee the push for hospital-style heroin clinics.

Prof. Penington questioned whether police drug busts had much effect on the
trade.

"As in past years, however, these have not been associated with evidence of
shortage of heroin on the streets," he said of police busts.

"With so many opportunities and routes of entry for drugs into the country,
there is no way entry can be prevented."

Any reforms would have to be implemented step by step, but there were no
simple solutions.

"A complex set of carefully planned, pragmatic initiatives are needed if we
want to make a real impact," he said.

"Every step needs careful evaluation to avoid unexpected consequences and
to ensure that the situation is improved."