MORE FUNDS SOUGHT IN HEROIN FIGHT

PRESSURE for increased government spending on drug prevention grew
yesterday with the release of a new report on the cost of heroin abuse.

One of the report's authors, Professor Alison Ritter, said at its
launch by Health Minister Bronwyn Pike that the Government needed to
address the issue.

The Herald Sun revealed yesterday the Premier's Drug Prevention
Council study found the cost to the community of heroin abuse was at
least $845 million a year.

It reported that government spending on drug prevention was less than
1 per cent of the economic cost of heroin abuse.

"We're all taxpayers, and that $845 million is a cost to us as a
community," Professor Ritter said.

"The report demonstrates that the investment in prevention is
worthwhile, and that it makes a difference."

A government spokesman said later about 11 per cent of the state's
$112 million total spending on drug initiatives this year would be
spent on prevention.

Ms Pike would not say whether her department would be seeking extra
funding for drug prevention in May budget discussions. She said no
other state government had invested as heavily in strategies to combat
illegal drug use.

Spending in other areas, such as mental health and homelessness,
should also be considered. "We need to understand prevention in a much
more holistic way," Ms Pike said.

Former police chief Neil Comrie, a member of the council, said the
research study showed a modest 5 per cent reduction in heroin uptake
could free up $42 million for other priority areas.

"This commitment (to prevention) must be seen as an investment, not a
cost," Mr Comrie said.

"I would argue that the findings of this report present a compelling
case for a concerted, co-ordinated, long-term, sustainable, bipartisan
commitment to a drug prevention strategy."

But the suggestion of a bipartisan approach to the issue of drugs,
which produced the council after a historic joint sitting of
Parliament two years ago, went out the window yesterday.

Opposition Leader Robert Doyle said the Liberals had not been aware of
its release or invited to the launch. Mr Doyle said their views had
not been sought and accused the Government of blatant hypocrisy.