AIRLINE TO STICK BY PLANS FOR NEEDLE BINS

ANSETT Australia yesterday defended its decision to fit its aircraft with
syringe disposal bins following attacks from some drug authorities.

The Queensland Opposition and the chairman of the Prime Minister's National
Council on Drugs, Salvation Army Major Brian Watters, said the move sent a
message that hard drug use was acceptable on flights.

But Ansett said the bins would make the job safer for its staff.

"Clearly, it was the responsible thing to do. It would have been wildly
irresponsible to continue to allow our staff and customers to be at risk of
being accidentally injured," spokesman Peter Young said.

The bins were installed for the use of both legitimate syringe users, such
as diabetics and illegal drug users.

"Unfortunately, it's a sad fact that there are passengers who could use it
for non-legitimate purposes and we can't control that," Mr Young said.

The use of illegal drugs, even on short one hour domestic flights, was not
an unusual occurrence, he said.

A man, 21, was recently banned by Ansett after being arrested for injecting
heroin on a Melbourne to Brisbane flight.

"We've had a number of problems over the last few years of syringes being
used in flight and carelessly discarded down toilet bowls or even left in
the aircraft seat pockets," Mr Young said.

Major Watters said users were injecting in their seats and not bothering to
use the bathrooms, so were not likely to use syringe bins.

"Airlines have a clear policy of not allowing intoxicated people to fly, or
allowing smokers to light up on board," he said.

"By putting containers in the bathroom, it is like saying we don't want you
to (inject), but we know you're going to."

Major Watters conceded the airline's move had stemmed from a responsibility
for its staff and passengers, but added it was the wrong approach and he
would urge the airline to reverse its decision.

The Australian Medical Association supported the move, saying it would
protect the health of employees and passengers.

President David Brand said: "I'd rather go into an aircraft toilet and find
a disposal unit than a loose syringe. Ansett has moved to protect the
health and safety of its employees and passengers and deserves support."

Ansett has said its international and domestic fleet will have the bins by
the end of the year.

Opposition police and prisons spokesman Allan Grice said he was dismayed by
the move which could be seen as condoning drug use at a time when more
young people were dying of overdoses.

"Statistics show 70 percent of crime is drug-related," Mr Grice said.

He said there would be an official approach to Ansett to drop the plan.

A Qantas spokesman said the airline also was considering the use of syringe
bins.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski