Cabinet to Reject new Drug Legislation

Cabinet has rejected the Police Department-sponsored legislation which would make it a crime to consort with known drug users, reliable sources confirm. The legislation was strongly opposed by the Health Department and received only lukewarm support from the Minister of Justice, Mr Riddiford, whose department had opposed the introduction of such legislation.

The Police had been pushing for legislation on the topic for some time, but the unexpectedly strong opposition spoiled what had appeared to be a fait accompli after Mr Marshall's statement in an issue of the Sunday Times last month in which he said that the new legislation was due to be introduced this session.