KICK HABIT CLOSER TO HOME

Young drug users from country Victoria will have the chance to kick
their habit closer to home under plans unveiled by the Victorian Government.

During a visit to Ballarat yesterday Health Minister John Thwaites
announced plans for a series of youth residential detoxification
facilities in regional areas.

Mr Thwaites said the needs of regional Victoria had been overshadowed
by the debate over supervised injecting rooms in Melbourne.

Under the plan, drug users aged between 12 and 21 would have access to
residential drug withdrawal units where they could stay for up to 10
days under 24-hour medical supervision.

The first four-bed unit will be established in Ballarat by March with
an annual operating budget of $688,000, followed by Geelong and other
regional centres.