LOBBY GROUP SAYS HEROIN CUT DOWN TO DRUG BOSSES

THE Federal Government was accused yesterday of lying about inroads into
the illicit heroin trade, with a new report warning of a flood of other
drugs such as amphetamines into Australia.

Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform president Brian McConnell said
evidence from law enforcement agencies indicated drug czars overseas had
made a marketing decision to reduce the heroin pipeline into Australia.

Instead they had decided to target younger drug users wary of injected
heroin with tablet-based methamphetamines like ecstasy and LSD.

Mr McConnell said Prime Minister John Howard was claiming credit for the
heroin reduction under his Tough on Drugs strategy, when it was really due
to a commercial decision by Asian drug syndicates.

"The prime minister and his ministers have said that Tough on Drugs is
totally responsible."

"We believe that this is not true," he told reporters.

"If we are told lies and untruths by the prime minister about this
particular aspect then there are serious implications for the drug policy
of Australia."

Mr McConnell said his organisation had written to Mr Howard to demand an
independent judicial inquiry into the drug problem.