KUCERA IN NEW BID FOR HEROIN TREATMENT TRIAL

HEALTH Minister Bob Kucera has flagged his support for renewed attempts to
establish a national heroin prescription trial involving long-term drug
addicts.

Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister John Stanhope said yesterday he
would write to Prime Minister John Howard, State leaders and State health
ministers to revive the ACT's plan to help organise such a plan.

An earlier bid by the former ACT Liberal government attracted the
in-principle support of former Federal health minister Michael Wooldridge
and several State Labor Governments.

But Mr Howard, a vehement opponent of heroin trials, scuttled the plan
before it got off the drawing board, indicating the Federal Government
would not amend necessary drugs laws.

Yesterday, Mr Kucera reaffirmed the State Government's endorsement of such
a trial, as recommended at last year's Community Drug Summit.

But he noted the proposal would not get off the ground without Federal support.

"The WA Government has said publicly before that it would be prepared to
run a medically supervised prescription trial in conjunction with other
States and Territories," Mr Kucera said.

"However, it has to be acknowledged that it is highly unlikely that the
Prime Minister will change his position on this issue, given the statements
he has made in the past."

Mr Kucera's judgment was vindicated when Mr Howard again ruled out any
Federal support for so-called safe injecting rooms or heroin trials.

"Prescription heroin trials would send exactly the wrong message to the
community and undermine education and treatment efforts," he said.

"The Government's focus will remain on ensuring a wide range of treatment
and rehabilitation options aimed at helping illicit drug users kick the
habit rather than options that involve maintaining heroin use."

Premier Geoff Gallop said in November the Government would ask the Federal
Government to approve a medically supervised heroin prescription trial.