From: [C upi] at [clari.net] (UPI / TOM ANDERSON)
Newsgroups: clari.world.oceania.australia,clari.news.alcohol+drugs
Subject: Aussie PM says marijuana must stay illegal
Keywords: international, social issues, substance abuse, legal,
        illegal drugs, US government, government officials
Organization: Copyright 1996 by United Press International
Date: Wed, 29 May 1996 18:40:13 PDT
                                         
        SYDNEY, May 30, (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister John Howard  
reaffirmed Thursday his strong stand against the decriminalization of 
marijuana in Australia. 
        Howard warned at a press interview of the drug's physical  
psychological and social effects and said he believed most Australians 
supported his view that the drug laws in Australia should not be 
weakened. 
        This followed Howard's earlier statements on the drug law Wednesday  
night, after the Royal Australian College of Physicians came out in 
support of recommendations by the Victorian State Drug Advisory Council 
to drop criminal penalties for the possession of small quantities of 
marijuana. 
        The prime minister's views also contradict those of his health  
minister, Dr. Michael Wooldridge, who has publicly supported drug law 
reform in Australia. 
        Howard said in a media interview Wednesday night it was important for  
him as prime minister to put across his views on major social issues. 
        ``I would be extremely reluctant to see any weakening in the existing  
laws. All the medical evidence, as distinct from other evidence, 
indicates that the idea that marijuana can be safely consumed without 
any damage being done is absolute nonsense.'' 
        He said the easing of marijuana laws would send a negative signal to  
parents ``who are struggling to promote a particular view about the 
conduct of their children''. 
        Howard said he had discussed the issue with Wooldridge and that he  
accepted there was a range of views in his government. 
        ``The view that I have expressed is mine, I believe it's the correct  
view, I believe it's the view that the great majority of Australians 
have, and I think it's important that political leaders have the guts to 
express their views.'' 
        The Royal Australian College of Physicians said prohibition of  
marijuana had been ineffective in Australia and that although it 
advocated the relaxation of marijuana laws, it also supported calls for 
improvement in alcohol and drug treatment services. 
        ``An approach to illicit drugs predominantly based on law enforcement  
is not only highly ineffective but also fraught with problems that can 
be as damaging as the very problems of drug use,'' college President 
Professor Richard Smallwood said at a media interview.