GOVT FACES NEW BATTLE FRONT ON DRUGS

Federal Justice and Customs Minister Chris Ellison says the latest illicit
drug data report shows that amphetamines have become the latest front in
the war on drugs.

Senator Ellison released the Australian Crime Commission report for 2002
and 2003 at a drugs conference in Alice Springs.

He says although there has been a fall in the number of seizures of
cannabis, heroin and cocaine possession has increased.

But Senator Ellison says the most alarming figures were for amphetamines.

"We also have an increase in amphetamines, increase in domestic manufacture
of amphetamines and use of amphetamines and an increase in attempts to try
and bring amphetamine-type stimulants into Australia," he said.

"That is the new challenge to us in relation to illicit drugs and it's a
war that we've just got to continue to fight."

He also says the harmful effects of cannabis in remote areas should not be
forgotten in the war on drugs.

He says moves to ease cannabis laws in South Australia and Western
Australia will encourage a boutique cannabis industry and organised crime
at a local level.

"It certainly seems to be an issue in Indigenous Australia and that's
something that concerns me," he said.

"The statistics that alarm me from the Australian Crime Commission report
are the... increased demand for amphetamine-type stimulants, but cannabis
is an issue and the Federal Government is of a view that the steps taken by
the Western Australian Government and South Australian Government are
inappropriate."