ACT SEEKS HELP OF LABOR STATES FOR HEROIN PROPOSAL

CANBERRA - The ACT will seek the help of fellow Labor state and territory
governments to get a proposal for a heroin prescription scheme off the ground.

ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope will write to Prime Minister John Howard,
as well all state leaders and health ministers, proposing a jointly-funded
national heroin trial involving the ACT.

Mr Stanhope said he hoped the changed political landscape - with Labor in
power in eight states and territories - could help win acceptance for the
proposal.

"I am repeating the old arguments ... but I don't think we should give up
on this," he told ABC radio.

"The political landscape does change, it has changed."

The move has the potential to reignite political controversy over a heroin
trial.

Mr Howard has previously opposed heroin on prescription or access to safe
injecting rooms.

"I am hoping (the prime minister) will show some leadership on it, he won't
dismiss it out of hand, that at least he will be able to consider it
seriously," Mr Stanhope said.

"I am also hopeful that some of my state and territory colleagues will come
on board.

"To some extent this is a test of their commitment as well."

The ACT is hoping to garner financial and moral support from the
commonwealth and the states for a trial.

"I think there's two things we would absolutely require before it could go
ahead, I do need some material support ... from the states and territories,
we need moral support, I would like to see another state actively
participate in a trial," Mr Stanhope said.

"More than anything else, we do need the commonwealth to agree to
facilitate supplies of heroin for use in a prescription and controlled trial."