STATE DECLARES WAR ON TEEN DRUG USE

A STATE Government ministerial think-tank will be set up to fight
increasing drug use by teenagers in Queensland.

The announcement yesterday came as police, youth centres and schools in
Ipswich called on the State Government to develop an integrated
departmental approach to the drug problem in their area.

Superintendent of Ipswich police Alex Erwin said information on drug use
should be shared between departments such as Health, Police and Families,
Youth and Community Care.

A report by Goodna police inspector Grant Pitman found the inability of
departments to release information about the extent of the drug problem in
Ipswich was inhibiting community drug education and rehabilitation programmes.

A spokeswoman for Premier Peter Beattie said "anything that helps to break
the curse of drugs among young Queenslanders should be implemented".

"The Premier will be discussing with ministers at the earliest possible
opportunity."

Ipswich police revealed last week that "starter packs" of amphetamines or
heroin mixed with honey were being handed out to children as young as nine
by dealers in the Ipswich area. Officers confirmed hundreds of children at
a high school in the area were using drugs ranging from marijuana to heroin.

Teenagers said a known dealer visited a local shopping plaza before and
after school to provide drugs to students.

Police Minister Tom Barton said there was a need for "a formal in-depth
discussion with relevant ministers and also a formal submission from the
people concerned to flush out their ideas". Families, Youth and Community
Care Minister Anna Bligh said she was looking forward to discussing an
integrated approach because it was "the only way to provide effective
services for these young people".

Supt Erwin said a coordinated approach would make a big difference to drug
problems in any community.

"You have to be careful with privy information but you can make a big
difference," he said.

"For example, if a nurse is talking to a child at school about their drug
problem, then it's a matter of confidence."

"But look at the big picture. If the nurse is dealing with 20 to 30 people
in the school she could then say in general terms, 'We have a problem at
this school and these are the drugs we're dealing with'. That doesn't
affect confidentlality and this is how we see the information being
delivered, maybe even in report form."

Supt Erwin said government agencies could outline patterns of behaviour in
particular areas by using anecdotal information.

Acting principal of Ipawich State High School John Allison said "hard data"
from the Government was needed for preventative drug programmes to be
society you're obviously going to have a drug problem at school - school is
a reflection of society." Mr Allison said.

"Once we get that information you can at least say, 'If this problem exists
we can start to have a hard look at it'."

Co-ordinator of the Queensland Intravenous AIDS Association Alex Wightman
warned the exchange of information could stop young people from seeking
help for drug problems at an early stage.

"There's always a need for a better inter-government approach to the drug
problem but I'd hate to see health service agencies and welfare agencies
becoming intelligence gatherers for police operations," he said.

"It will just drive the problem underground."

Checked-by: Pat Dolan