CARR 'TORN IN HALF' BY DRUG ISSUE

NSW Premier Bob Carr yesterday confessed he had struggled with his own
conscience before giving the green light for what could be Australia's first
legal heroin shooting gallery.

Mr Carr said he had been "torn in half" by the debate over drug reform,
adding that he half agreed with critics of the plan to set up a safe
injecting room in Sydney next year.

"It is controversial and I myself have had doubts about this course," he
said. "Part of my mind is with the people who argue rigid zero tolerance and
treating this only as a legal problem. Part of my mind is with them as I
suspect is the community's."

Prime Minister John Howard said the historic move was disappointing, but
conceded it was a matter for state and territory governments.

"I regret that he (Mr Carr) has taken that decision. I share the view that a
number have expressed, that it sends the wrong signal," Mr Howard said.

"I'm unconvinced as to the reasons he's put forward, but it's a decision
within the prerogative of the State Government and I can't stop it and I
won't attempt to stop it but it's not a decision that I can support."

Mr Carr said he had been swayed in favour of the shooting gallery by the
chance to rehabilitate and save the lives of addicts.