HAMER BACKS HEROIN TRIAL

A former Victorian Premier, Sir Rupert Hamer, has urged the Prime
Minister, Mr John Howard, to "show enlightened leadership" and
reconsider-his veto of the ACT heroin trial.

The trial was blocked by Mr Howard despite the support of a majority
of state and federal health ministers and health experts. Mr Howard
said he feared it might send the wrong signal to drug users.

In a letter to the editor of The Age Sir Rupert said Mr Howard should
take a fresh look at the trial in the context of his promised new era
of government. He said a similar trial in Switzerland had been very
successful with many addicts cured, a big drop in unemployment in the
area in which the trial was carried out, a 60 per cent decrease in
crime in the area and a drop in homelessness.

Sir Rupert said Mr Howard's reason for blocking the trial seemed to be
based on the Salvation Army's view. The group had a "truly splendid
record" in dealing with the drugs crisis. "But on this issue - a trial
with a small group of addicts under tight controls - the reasoning is
not convincing and I know it is not shared by many in the ranks."

The ACT proposal is supported by the lord mayors of Australia's
capital cities and the mayors of 10 Melbourne metropolitan councils.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry