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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 9 Hansard (21 August) . . Page.. 3021 ..

MRS BURKE (continuing):

They should be telling this to the parents of Canberra's children. They should be telling this to the families who have lost sons or daughters, sisters or brothers-indeed, many will know that I have had this happen to me personally When you are impacted by it, it changes your perspective. It changes and broadens your outlook. They should be telling this to the victims of crimes caused by desperate addicts seeking funds to feed their habit. Drug use, in particular heroin use, is a very real problem in our community, every bit as important as getting our budget in the black and creating the right environment to help our business sector thrive. I believe that unless we get the drug problem right we do not get the rest of the things in the community right. It follows.

We as a society are often far too obsessed with economic goals and lose sight of those things that matter to most Australian families. I am pleased to say that the ACT government has been a notable exception, with a focus on policies such as family policy, social capital, early intervention, innovation and addressing poverty. We have had a go. We have had the guts to get up and have a go and take some action. We are fighting on many fronts to counter the impact of drug addiction in our community.

Mr Stanhope talks about morals. How moral is it not to allow people an opportunity to have a choice and a say in this matter? Is it not better to engage the community than to tell them what we think is best for them? Additional services that this government has funded, as you are aware, include:

expanding the public methadone clinic programs to meet increased demands and provide the latest treatments, which despite all the negativity are saving lives and allowing people to live a life with some semblance of order, dignity and respect;

establishing an alcohol and drug family skills program for parents, crucial in the breaking of this cycle;

providing half a million dollars a year for enhanced drug and alcohol services; and

funding a four-bed residential withdrawal service in association with the Ted Noffs Foundation.

All these things are positive steps forward, for the word is out there about the drug debate. People are involved already. People are not stupid. Do not let us in this place underestimate people's intelligence, please. The health minister, Mr Moore, deserves praise for his focus on these issues and his tireless work towards bringing the debate to a broader and wider audience, often against much opposition.

But we recognise that, despite our best efforts, more needs to be done, and the community recognises this also. They know more needs to be done. The question is: what can we do? Advocates of the heroin trial and injecting place say these measures will make a real difference, saving lives, reducing crime and offering real hope to many who have lived with nothing but despair and anguish. Opponents say these proposals send the wrong message to the community and will not help heroin dependent people get rid of their addiction.

Mr Speaker, I implore this Assembly to consider that the referendum offers us all one important thing, and that is the opportunity to have a real say in these future directions.

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