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Victoria Set To Open First 'Heroin Injecting Room' Amid ‘Full Blown Health Crisis’

Victoria Set To Open First 'Heroin Injecting Room' Amid ‘Full Blown Health Crisis’

It's one of a raft of measures being proposed by the Andrews Government to address rising drug overdoses

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

The Victorian Government is set to introducing the state's first ever safe injecting room for drug users. It's a part of a raft of measures to help address what's being called a 'full blown health crisis'.

Thirty-four people in a four-block area died from drug overdoses in just a 12-month period.

The Daniel Andrews government is also setting up 100 extra rehab beds across the state, a rapid detox treatment trial, a crackdown on 'dodgy' rehab centres and tougher sentences for traffickers.

The safe injecting room will be built at the North Richmond Community Health Centre and will allow addicts a place to take the drug with sterile needles as well as have trained medical staff available for supervision.

Heroin
Heroin

Credit: PA

Mr Andrews says: "The hundreds of Victorians losing their lives to drugs are more than just statistics - they are much loved sons, daughters, parents and friends.

"There is no silver bullet here - but together, these measures will save lives and keep Victorians safe."

The Premier was previously opposed to the idea of a safe injecting room, but has since changed his mind after seeing how widespread the issue is.

He told reporters: "There can be no rehabilitation if you are dead. This is about saving lives. I have changed my view on this because the evidence is just so compelling.

"If it was my son or my daughter I would want this facility."

Needles
Needles

Credit: PA

According to the ABC, the number of drug overdoses has doubled since 2012, with more Victorians losing their lives to overdoses than road accidents.

Minister for Mental Health, Martin Foley, says: "We know the damage addiction causes for families across the state - that's why we're doubling the number of rehab beds so more Victorians can get the support they need to beat their addiction faster."

However, the move hasn't been receiving praise from the opposition, who believe the safe injecting room will only make it more difficult for police to do their jobs.

Mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy told the ABC: "They'll be forced to turn a blind eye on drug use and drug possession in the injecting room region and we know that they also won't have any additional resources to deal with our sky-rocketing drug crime rate in Victoria."

Labor will likely need crossbench support to get the legislation through for the injecting room to be legal, but several crucial votes have already been confirmed.

Sources: Herald Sun, Victorian Government, ABC

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia News, Heroin, Australia