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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 11 Hansard (19 October) . . Page.. 3233 ..
MR HIRD (continuing):
Mr Speaker, what of the heroin trials? There are too many alternatives. What about naltrexone? What about the naltrexone experiments and trials being undertaken in other jurisdictions of Australia and here in the ACT under the stewardship of the Minister for Health, Mr Moore? The literature suggests that earlier problems with this treatment have largely been overcome and that the trials in Australia and overseas are now operating with increasing degrees of success.
Mr Speaker, I cannot endorse shooting galleries and legalised heroin use operating with the support of this parliament. It is also important to note that on these particular issues we do not have the support of the States or the Commonwealth. We will be operating in isolation and making our youth the guinea pigs for some sort of social experiment. This is not supportable, and there are other members in the Government who share my views in respect to this matter. However, whilst I take issue on those matters, I still compliment the Chief Minister on the way that she and her other Ministers undertook to introduce From Harm to Hope. In her foreword of that document she said this:
The ACT Government has a vision for Canberra as a "clever, caring community". With this in mind, the Government is committed to enhancing the health, well being and safety of the community. This includes reducing the harmful consequences associated with the use of all drugs.
She went on to say:
The ACT Drug Strategy 1999 outlines broad directions and provides a basis for coordinated action through drawing together the various initiatives to be undertaken in the areas of health, education, law enforcement, community safety and the environment.
The strategy emphasises a partnership between government agencies, non-government agencies and the community in addressing the complex issues surrounding alcohol and other drug use.
An important part of this partnership approach has been the comprehensive community and stakeholder consultation process, involving government and non-government agencies, community organisations and interested individuals, which has informed the directions of this strategy.
I think this is a step forward and it certainly is one that the Chief Minister and this legislature can be proud of. It seems to me to be a first in coming to grips with what is a very vexed and complex matter which is facing this chamber and other parliaments throughout Australia and the world. I commend the report to the house.
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