[Greens-Media] Greens welcome Howard's "ice" $150 million

[Bennett, Ebony (Sen B. Brown)]

Sunday, 22 April 2007

Greens welcome Howard's "ice" $150 million

Greens leader Bob Brown has today welcomed the Howard government's $150
million plan to tackle drug abuse, concentrating on the scourge of
crystalline methamphetamine, or 'ice', drug abuse.

"Eighty million of this $150 million will go to non-government
organisations for drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres with an
emphasis on treating 'ice' addicts. The aim to educate parents and youth
about the dangers of drug abuse, in particular 'ice', is very welcome,"
Senator Brown said.

"There remains a lot of ignorance about the hazards of methamphetamines
and other drugs of addiction."

Senator Brown said that the 1980s success of the 'Grim Reaper'
advertisements in alerting Australians to the dangers of HIV/AIDS could
be drawn upon in planning to reverse the worsening toll from 'ice'
across Australia.

Last week the Greens supported Labor's three point plan to step up the
fight against 'ice'.

Further information: Ebony Bennett 0409 164 603


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Ebony Bennett
Media Adviser
Office of Greens Senator Bob Brown
Mobile: 0409 164 603
Ph: (02) 6277 3170
Fax: (02) 6277 3185
ebony.bennett at aph.gov.au