YOUTH 'NO' TO HEROIN ROOMS

A Victorian youth forum has joined those opposed to the trial of supervised
drug injecting facilities.

In a move welcomed by the Opposition, a delegation of 100 young people
representing about 220,000 students from 320 schools told MPs yesterday
they did not support the introduction of injecting rooms.

The delegates said establishing such facilities would encourage drug use
rather than help curb the harm caused by substance abuse.

They called for "TAC-style" campaigns to raise awareness of the issue, the
use of counsellors rather than police to deal with drug users, more
rehabilitation services and a crackdown on drug dealers.

On a more radical note, the delegation said marijuana should be legalised
because "it is safer than alcohol, the black market (in the drug) would be
abolished and hemp would be available for clothes".

Opposition youth affairs spokesman Ian Cover said the forum's outcome
vindicated the Liberal Party's decision earlier this month to oppose the
Victorian Government's proposed trial of injecting rooms.

Mr Cover said it showed the Opposition reflected the views of the
community, and called on the government to "start listening".

"Our decision has been in line with community thinking on the issue and
that has been reinforced by the youth of Victoria," he said.

But a spokeswoman said the Bracks Government was committed to injecting
room legislation in Parliament because something had to be done to save the
lives of "chaotic" drug users.

"Our policy is a comprehensive plan across all areas and injecting rooms
was a small but important part of it," she said.