TOUCHY-FEELY BOB AND JEFF SHOW THEIR CARING SIDES

While the Prime Minister yesterday fought to retain a sharp edge to
his tough-on-drugs campaign, two Premiers, NSW's Mr Carr and
Victoria's Mr Kennett, were vying to advance more caring strategies.

Mr Carr argued for more research into early childhood development to
shed light on what turns children towards drugs and other social
tragedies, including suicide.

For Mr Kennett, however, depression is the key to many societal ills.
He won mild support for his idea of a national depression research
institute from Mr Howard yesterday.

For his part, Mr Howard tempered his generosity - his proposed $220
million for a fresh attack on drugs was well above expectations - with
hard language.

Political insiders suggest the Prime Minister is keeping in mind twin
objectives: maintaining the tough rhetoric which appeals to radio
talkback land, while ensuring that public nervousness about drug
deaths and overdoses is assuaged.

Against the wishes of some Premiers, Mr Howard fought for the
retention of the term zero tolerance in the communique section dealing
with schools drugs policy.

All the Premiers were in agreement that there was no place for drugs
in schools, said Mr Howard. "Some people, like myself, call that zero
tolerance - others might call it something else."

When it came to the more touchy-feely ideas of Mr Carr and Mr Kennett,
Mr Howard said the proposal for a depression institute would be
returned to later.

No mention of Mr Carr's childhood research bid.

The NSW Premier said last night that he saw his idea as "a higher
priority" than the otherwise quite worthy idea the Victorian Premier
had for a national research institute on the problem of depression.