Vic: Injecting rooms get go ahead for trial

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2000
Vic: Injecting rooms get go ahead for trial

The Victorian government is expected to detail its plans today for supervised injecting
centres for heroin users in Melbourne.

But the government's drug policy expert says they won't be set up against the wishes
of local residents.

The state government is expected to propose trials of the centres in five municipalties,
following a report from the Drug Policy Expert Committee chaired by Professor DAVID PENINGTON.

Prof PENINGTON has told ABC radio that extensive community consultation will be needed
before the centres can be set up in Melbourne, Fitzroy, St Kilda, Footscray and Springvale.

Prof PENINGTON says his recommendations aimed at dealing with community concern about
open drug use rather than solving the drug problem.

He warns that the government and police won't be responsible for drug users' safety
in the injecting rooms.

AAP RTV nl/e/dmc/rt

KEYWORD: INJECT PENINGTON (MELBOURNE)

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