SOUTH VS QLD OVER HEROIN TRIALS

An ambitious plan to hold competing trials of legally prescribed
heroin and new detoxification drugs will be put to today's premiers'
conference.

But with Prime Minister John Howard maintaining his veto on legal
heroin, NSW Premier Bob Carr yesterday unveiled his own plan for
national drug courts and pleaded for the conference not to be bogged
down by heroin trials.

Mr Howard predicted the premiers would accept his offer of significant
additional funding for fighting drugs in addition to the $290million
Tough on Drugs strategy already unveiled by the Commonwealth.

``We will be making an offer tomorrow that involves the provision of a
lot more federal money in the fight against drugs,'' Mr Howard said
yesterday.

``There won't be any funding row on drugs.''

Mr Howard refused to comment on reports the extra money would be worth
$100million, including funding for the detoxification drug Naltrexone,
but he made it clear there would be no radical change in his drug strategy.

Northern Territory Chief Minister Denis Burke strongly backed Mr
Howard, describing heroin trials as an admission of defeat. But Mr
Howard's stand was criticised by Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett.

``If that is the case, I think that's regretful because I think we've
got to be prepared to trial anything under clinical conditions to try
and address the scourge that has spread throughout Australia,'' he
said.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie said he believed they should be
allowed to proceed in Victoria and the ACT, but in competition with an
identical Queensland trial of detoxification drugs.

Mr Carr unveiled his own seven-point plan which he will put to the
conference.

It includes quicker clinical trials for drugs like Naltrexone,
improved funding for rehabilitation services, stronger border controls
to prevent drug importation and a nationwide trial of NSW's drug courts.