cf heavy print AD INFRA:
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
TV PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT
LOCATION: http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/stories/s73681.htm
Broadcast: 15/12/1999
States stand firm on plans for heroin injecting room trials
Reporter: Stephen McDonell
MAXINE McKEW: Today New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT have asserted their right to press on with controversial plans for safe heroin injection rooms.
The PM, an opponent of so-called harm minimisation strategies, reignited the debate by seizing on the objections of the UN Narcotics Control Board.
The UN body warned the injection rooms may breach international conventions and it takes the view that what is proposed in some Australian States is neither scientific nor medical.
If the PM's views prevail, that still leaves health ministers facing the shocking dilemma about what to do about the alarming heroin statistics -- a depressing 23 per cent increase in 1998, that is 730 deaths -- two a day.
In a moment, I'll be joined by the PM, but first this report from Stephen McDonell.
MAJOR BRIAN WATTERS, CHAIRMAN, AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DRUGS: Well, I think it's inconsistent that they asked the INCB for an opinion and when the opinion comes back they say, "Who are these people to tell us what to do?".
It's a bit ironic, isn't it?
It's the old smacking of not liking the umpire's decision, which is not really Australian, is it?
JOHN DELLA BOSCA, NSW SPECIAL MINISTER FOR STATE: We're looking for an Australian solution to this problem.
We really won't find the answer looking towards Vienna or New York or anywhere else.
We have to come up with an Australian solution to the problem and that's what we are pursuing.
STEPHEN McDONELL: Ever since it was first suggested that Australia look at a program of safe injecting rooms, the responses on all sides have been passionate.
MAN, NSW DRUG SUMMIT, MAY 1999: I am sick to death of these decisions being made by people that have no idea of the real issue!
STEPHEN McDONELL: Now, with injecting room trials ready to begin, the PM, citing UN concerns, today called for a halt to the projects, especially that proposed for NSW.
JOHN HOWARD, PRIME MINISTER: In the end, Australia makes its own decisions on what is good for Australia, but part of what is good for Australia is paying some regard to treaties that we signed and part of cooperation between a Federal government and a State government is for a State government to recognise that we have our responsibilities.
STEPHEN McDONELL: The PM pointed out that legalising heroin injection rooms may breach UN conventions, because it could be seen as condoning the sale of illegal drugs.
But others argued this is too narrow an interpretation.
PROFESSOR DONALD ROTHWELL, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY: The breach would seem to be a rather technical breach and therefore, that could be a matter of debate amongst lawyers, but it's not going to be a major breach of international law, such as the invasion of another country.
STEPHEN McDONELL: This controversy started with a letter from Sydney Catholic priest Father John George, who wrote to the UN body opposing the injecting room trials.
The Narcotics Board responded, criticising the trial.
Father George then wrote to the NSW Premier, informing him of the Narcotics Control Board's concerns.
The Premier passed on the information to his Minister responsible for the injecting room trial, John Della Bosca.
The Minister then wrote to the UN explaining the trial.
The Narcotics Control Board then wrote back to the Australian Government, claiming the trial breached international conventions.
Armed with the letter, the PM today called for a halt to the trial.
PROFESSOR DONALD ROTHWELL: Well, certainly, it's inconsistent, because earlier this year Australia was found to be in breach of the Racial Discrimination Convention, and yet the Federal Government dismissed that within 24 hours as being irrelevant, in terms of making any adjustments to the Native Title Act, which were found to be discriminatory, in terms of racial terms.
The Federal Government is sending out a message to both Australians and I think also the international community that we adopt different approaches towards international law, depending on the political circumstances and how the Government of the day views the extent of those obligations.
STEPHEN McDONELL: Either way, NSW Special Minister of State, John Della Bosca, is determined to go ahead with his trial.
JOHN DELLA BOSCA: We've looked fairly carefully at the issues and we're satisfied that the injection room trial doesn't breach any national or State obligations.
So the trial at this stage will proceed.
STEPHEN McDONELL: And Victoria and the ACT said today they'll join NSW in defying the PM, by pushing ahead with their injection room trials.
JOHN THWAITES, VICTORIAN HEALTH MINISTER: We know that the traditional approach, the prohibitionist approach that the PM has advocated isn't working.
If it was working, we wouldn't see so many deaths.
So we believe we've got to at least give a trial to the supervised injecting facility.
KATE CARNELL, ACT CHIEF MINISTER: I don't believe the Federal Government will get involved.
I don't believe the could get a legislation to stop us going ahead through the Senate.
I don't believe the Democrats would support it.
STEPHEN McDONELL: Under the Constitution, the Federal Government has the right to override the States on drugs policy, as with other issues involving international treaties using its external affairs powers.
The PM's principal adviser on drug issues, the Salvation Army's Major Brian Watters is calling for action.
MAJOR BRIAN WATTERS: I believe that, particularly with the Olympic year, we should be presenting an image, and not just an image, but a reality of an Australian attitude towards drugs that says, "We will do everything in our power to contain and control this problem and to stop people falling into the trap of using drugs."
JOHN DELLA BOSCA: This is a uniquely Australian message -- that you're responsible for yourself and the person next to you.
We're not giving up on anybody.
That's where this idea of the injection room and diversion programs et cetera come in.
We're looking at the people at the bottom end of the addiction cycle who still need a helping hand.
And we're looking at giving them a gateway to treatment.
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