DOWNER 'OUT OF TOUCH' ON DRUG FIGHT

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer has been accused of being out of
touch with reality following his statement on drugs to the United Nations
general assembly.

In his address, Mr Downer said significant advances have been made to
minimize harm caused by abuse and valuable steps forward have been taken in
the war against drugs.

Family and Friends of Drug Law Reform president Brian McConnell says the
Minister showed an astounding disregard for the facts distributed by the UN.

"Opium production has increased by 25 per cent, from 1990 to 1997 and at the
same time, the number of overdose deaths that we have in Australia has
increased by 75 per cent, so how could he say that is improving the
situation," he said.

"It's certianly not improving, it's getting worse."

He says all past approaches to eliminate drugs have failed and Mr Downer
must be objective about the evidence.

"He's either very poorly informed or he's misleading or he wants to praise
the UN to strut the world stage," Mr McConnell said.

"I think this is a very sad affair in either of those cases.

"He should look to the facts, he should look to see what is really happening
and try a bit of honesty.

"And if there is some honesty from our own polititians, then we might be
able to tackle this problem realistically."

Checked-by: Melodi Cornett