INJECTING ROOMS DEBATE RETURNS

HEROIN injecting rooms will be revived by Premier Steve Bracks if
Victoria's drug problem is not resolved.

Mr Bracks said yesterday the government would make a second attempt to
have the rooms introduced after the Opposition's decision to block the
move in State Parliament.

The Premier said the Opposition's rejection of the rooms was one of
two main regrets in his first year, along with its failure to reform
the Legislative Council. In a change from a year ago, Mr Bracks is now
unsure whether support for injection rooms would help at the polls.

Despite this, he said he would push ahead with the proposal if other
measures to cut the deaths and associated crime rates were
unsuccessful.

The decision could mean Mr Bracks taking the policy to the next
election, due late 2003.

"I think it's a mixed reaction in the community, nevertheless I think
it's the right thing to do, a necessary thing to do."

Less than a year ago, Mr Bracks and other senior Labor figures
privately believed injecting rooms would win votes, but had not backed
the plan on this basis.

But the public has not accepted the plan and the Opposition has turned
against it.

Opposition Leader Denis Napthine said the issue was one of the main
differences between the two parties. The Upper House will reject the
government's bid to introduce the rooms this session.

However, Mr Bracks believes the injecting rooms will lead to saving
lives.

"I think that's (his position) entirely justified," he
said.

"Because we have a responsibility to ensure that one of the biggest
tragedies that's happening in our community, (that) there's every step
taken to reduce deaths, to minimise harm and to restore people's lives."