UN FEARS AUSTRALIA LOSING WAR ON DRUGS

A DAMNING UN report has urged the Federal Government to strengthen its
fight against all illegal drugs, naming Australia as one of the biggest
users of cannabis in the world.

The report, released yesterday, says Australia is having difficulty
adhering to an international treaty on drugs because of the different
strategies adopted by States and Territories.

The report, by the UN's International Narcotics Control Board, warns
amphetamine use among young Australians is spreading rapidly, with
"substantial amounts" of the drug smuggled into the country, mainly from
European countries.

It outlines problems associated with fighting drugs in many countries,
highlighting Australia's rapidly spreading abuse of amphetamines such as
ecstasy.

"It (the board) urges the Government of Australia to ensure the uniform
application of international drug control measures on its territories," the
report says.

The report urges the Federal Government to improve monitoring of legal
chemicals, such as codeine, methadone, morphine and pethadine, which are
used as ingredients in the manufacture of amphetamines.

It says ingredients are being obtained for illegal use through falsified
prescriptions, over-prescription and thefts from pharmacies. Such scams
have led the Government to review its methods for controlling such legal
drugs.

"The abuse of other opioids is widespread in Australia," the report says.

"In addition, the prevalence of cannabis abuse in Australia and Papua New
Guinea is among the highest in the world."

The report says Australia's cannabis abuse is one of the highest in the
world and the board expresses concerns about the country's ongoing debate
about decriminalising marijuana.

It says it was concerned generally with the culture of acceptance and
"public incitement" of drug abuse in communities.

Some pop idols, politicians, media and the Internet promote recreational
drug use.

From a regional perspective, the report urges the PNG Government to proceed
with a long- awaited upgrading of drug legislation, saying high-quality
cannabis from PNG continues to be sold in Australia.

The release of the report comes as federal Justice Minister Amanda Vanstone
said the Torres Strait remained Australia's most vulnerable border,
especially to drug- and gun-runners.

Senator Vanstone said cooperation between PNG and Australia was vital to
safe-guarding the region.