GIVE IT A TRY, SAYS EX-DRUG SQUAD CHIEF

FORMER drug squad chief John McKoy has given qualified support to
experimenting with one heroin injecting room.

"I do not agree with the concept of safe injecting houses, but we have
to be innovative," he said.

"Perhaps if we were to have one safe injecting premises in a location
where it is not going to adversely affect people around it -- members
of the community and business -- and it's strictly controlled, I say
let's do it.

"Let's be innovative and let's try it, because if it's no good in 12
months or two years, shut it down."

Mr McKoy, who retired from the Victoria Police this month, said there
were bonuses for police.

"They can go straight to that spot and they can throw a cordon around
it anytime and clear out the fringe dwellers and the people who may be
attempting to sell drugs," he said.

A report in the Herald Sun last Saturday may have given the impression
Mr McKoy was not in favor of experimenting with an injecting room.

The report was referring to Mr McKoy's comment that he was opposed to
the proposal to establish five injecting rooms in Victoria.