NSW TRIALS CANNABIS CLINIC TO TREAT USERS

New South Wales's first cannabis clinic is set to open before the end
of the year in the western Sydney suburb of Parramatta.

The clinic, the first of four across the state, is part of the New
South Wales Government's initiative to highlight the dangers of
cannabis and treat its users.

The Special Minister for State, John Della Bosca, says the
non-residential clinic will use intervention techniques as well
detoxification programs to treat users, particularly younger addicts.

"The overwhelming evidence is becoming that cannabis is quite a
dangerous drug," Mr Della Bosca said.

"It can be harmful socially, medically and.. it's a trigger to a
number of depressive and other serious illnesses."

The $2.4 million project will roll out similar clinics in southern
Sydney, on the central coast and the central west.