NEW DRUG STRATEGY TO TACKLE ICE SCOURGE

Police, parents and teachers will work hand in hand to combat the ice
epidemic under a $150 million boost to the federal government's tough
on drugs strategy.

Prime Minister John Howard believes his government's zero tolerance
approach to drugs is working but the growing methamphetamine problem,
particularly ice, means more effort is necessary.

The four-year package includes a major boost to the government's law
enforcement efforts, further support for non-government rehabilitation
services and money for drug education.

Mr Howard said ice had become a menace in society, tearing apart many
Australian families and communities, and required a concerted effort
by all governments and the community.

The opposition backed the government plan but accused the coalition of
following Labor's lead.

"Clearly the ice epidemic is very serious, it's causing untold damage
in our community and we need to act now," opposition health
spokeswoman Nicola Roxon said.

The Labor plan includes a ban on importing ice pipes and other drug
paraphernalia and either further restrictions or a complete ban on the
sale of pseudoephedrine - a key ingredient of methamphetamine - over
the internet.

In the past decade, the government has spent $1.3 billion on its tough
on drugs strategy, which Mr Howard says has been a success.

He pointed to the significant reduction in heroin deaths and the drop
in illicit drug use to back his claims.

But Mr Howard said more effort was needed to address the use and
availability of methamphetamines.

At the forefront of the government's plans is an extra $38 million to
boost police resources to tackle the methamphetamine problem in
Australia and overseas, where much of the synthetic stimulant is produced.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) will establish an elite
international drug squad, which could be deployed anywhere in
Australia or the Asia Pacific region to investigate
amphetamine-related offences.

Customs and intelligence services will also get more funds to target
the problem.

Rehabilitation and education are other crucial elements of the
package.

More than $100 million will be shared among non-government drug and
alcohol rehabilitation services and will go towards capital projects
targeting amphetamine treatment.

Teaching kids about the danger of drugs will form a key plank of the
preventative element of the strategy.

Mr Howard said a booklet for parents, Talking With Your Kids About
Drugs, would be distributed to all households, while curriculum
resources would be developed for teachers to use in school-based drugs
education.

Former Howard government minister John Herron, chairman of the
Australian National Council on Drugs, said the package struck the
right balance between rehabilitation and law enforcement.

He acknowledged a shortage of spaces for people who wanted to be
rehabilitated, and the funding would also help attract staff in a
field where retention was a problem.

Youth workers welcomed extra resources.

Youth Off The Streets chief executive officer Father Chris Riley said
violence in the community would only escalate if ice's prevalence and
effects were not attacked immediately.

"We are in real trouble in this country with ice. It's going to
escalate violence, it's really hard to detox from," he told Sky News.

Despite the tough stand the government takes on drug use, Mr Howard
denied the government had a judgmental attitude towards addicts.

"We're judgmental when it comes to the undesirability of starting drug
taking in the first place," Mr Howard said.

"(But) we should be helpful towards (addicts), we should offer them
support, we should offer them rehabilitation and we should offer them
comfort and affection."