STANHOPE CALLS FOR NATIONAL HEROIN PRESCRIPTION TRIAL

The ACT Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, will attempt to persuade the
Prime Minister to support a national heroin prescription trial.

Mr Stanhope says heroin by prescription is a potentially life saving
option for addicts and could undermine the black market.

He will be writing to Mr Howard and state leaders seeking support for
a jointly funded national trial involving the ACT.

Mr Howard has previously stymied proposals for such trials but Mr
Stanhope is undeterred.

"I don't think we should give up just because one person in
Australia, one leader out of all the leaders in Australia has an
ideological objection to this sort of approach. I'm hoping that he
will show some leadership on this," Mr Stanhope said.

"I do expect to receive the support of my state and territory colleagues."