STATES COOL ON PM'S TOUGH DRUGS LINE

The Prime Minister, Mr Howard, is expected to pledge as much as $180
million today in his new drugs initiative.

But his strategy drew a cool response from premiers yesterday because
of its tough language.

On the eve of today's Premiers' Conference, Victoria's Mr Kennett
lashed out at the use in the Federal Government drug strategy of the
term "zero tolerance" concerning drugs in schools, and he
categorically rejected Mr Howard's preference for expulsion of
drug-using students.

Last week, Mr Howard strongly supported the expulsion by Pymble
Ladies' College of girls caught with drugs, saying it would be good if
government schools took the same approach.

Yesterday Mr Kennett told the National Press Club: "I don't think it is
right that children who are users should be expelled from school and denied
education. I think we have got to have a more tolerant view of it."

Later, he joined other State and Territory leaders who, including the
NSW Premier, Mr Carr, are believed to have shared the Victorian
Premier's distaste for the zero tolerance flavour.

"Does it mean you have to expel a kid for sharing a joint or do you
use it as a basis for intensive counselling?" asked a NSW Government
source.

The Queensland Premier, Mr Beattie, described the Howard document as
"political rhetoric" ... "What we need is solutions."

The leaders, meeting to prepare for today's conference at which the
full drugs strategy and financing will be revealed, also took
exception to another tough word in the Prime Minister's proposal: the
introduction of "mandatory" treatment for drug offenders.

Under schemes in place or being trialled in most States, including the
NSW Drug Court, offenders are counselled and have the option of taking
treatment or being dealt with by the courts.

According to one source yesterday, Mr Howard's strategy involves $180
million, which would be in addition to the $290 million the Federal
Government has already pledged in the tough-on-drugs campaign. Much of
the new money is expected to be aimed at treatment and diversion programs.

While the leaders agreed that Mr Howard's document was a basis for
discussion, they are expected to adjourn the meeting with Mr Howard
today once they receive details of what finance is being offered, so
they can discuss a co-ordinated response.

In his address yesterday, Mr Kennett also raised the possibility of
turning some jails into drug detoxification centres.

He said some 80 per cent of prisoners in Victorian jails were there
for drug-related offences.

"It does raise the question of whether some of our prisons should not
themselves just be reconstructed as detox centres and actually treat
people, particularly those there for longer periods, more
consistently."

Mr Kennett said the idea was being considered by his
Government.