DRUG SUPPORT FORUM SNUBBED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

THE STATE government yesterday refused to attend a forum aimed at
establishing support facilities for the families of drug addicts.

The forum, organised by the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation, focused
on strategies intended to reduce the problems associated with heroin
addicts.

The government snub has organisers of the forum baffled and confused because
they say there is overwhelming evidence to suggest such a facility is needed
in WA.

A keynote speaker at the forum Tony Trimingham, was also due to speak today
at a government sponsored forum, but had his nomination withdrawn by
Minister for Family and Children's Services Rhonda Parker after she learnt
of his support for heroin trials.

Mr Trimingham, who lost his son to heroin in 1997, has been instrumental in
establishing support groups in the eastern states and a national crisis
hotline offering 24 hour, seven-days-a-week support for parents of drug
users.

Mr Trimingham said he felt the Minister had probably been ill-informed about
his intentions and his agenda was not political warfare.

"I'm just explaining what we do and presenting information on our group," Mr
Trimingham said.

"We're not radicals and we're not asking for legislation of drugs."

State president of the Australian Drug Law Reform group of WA Jason Meotti
said all political parties had been invited to address the forum on the
strategies they believed would help to reduce the problems associated with
heroin addiction.

"We believe the debate on heroin needs to move forward because everyone is
well aware of what the problems are with heroin addiction, both to the user
and to society," Mr Meotti said.

"All political parties need to focus, in a non-partisan way, on constructive
alternatives to the present system of total prohibition, which has utterly
failed to stem heroin demand and supply in Australia."

Mr Meotti said the number of calls from concerned WA families to the
national hotline set up by Mr Trimingham indicated there was a desperate
need for a support group in WA.

"We are hoping to have it up and running within six months and we are
meeting with the Minister this afternoon to see if there is any possibility
of gaining some financial support towards the project," Mr Meotti said.

"If not, I believe there is the possibility of federal funding and we will
certainly be going after that."

Doctor Alex Wodak, director of Alcohol and Drug Services at Sydney's St
Vincent Hospital, also spoke at today's forum, presenting information about
a Swiss study on the support of heroin addicts and their families.