LIBERALS DRAW UNI DRUG FIRE

CURTIN University drug academics have attacked the State Opposition for
comparing WA's proposed cannabis laws with the controversial Lambeth
experiemnt in London where police turned a blind eye to drug use.

National Drug Research Institute researcher Simon Lenton said the London
situation last year was very different from proposals before Parliament.

Mr Lenton said the Lambeth pilot was not based on research, there was no
public consultation, no legislative backup and limited public education.

Mr Lenton said the Lambeth policy had mixed results, which British youth
worker Julie Fawcett, brought here by the Liberal party, was right to question.

But she and the Liberals were wrong to say WA laws were doomed on the back
of what happened in Britain.