CHURCH WANTS DRUG LAW BLOCKED

The Catholic Church has urged the Liberal Party to vote against the
government's heroin injecting room legislation.

Episcopal vicar for health care Anthony Fisher said he had explained
to Liberal leader Denis Napthine why the church opposed the injecting
clinics.

"We've got to look at positive alternatives rather than society saying
'the problem is here to stay, we don't know what to do about it so
we'll go into damage control and set up injecting rooms'." Father
Fisher said.

The Catholic Church will next month open a multi-million dollar
rehabilitation and counselling centre for drug users in Fitzroy.

Dr Naptine yesterday said he would consider the church's
views.

Father Fisher said Wesley Central Mission had been misguided with its
bid to open Victoria's first heroin injecting room.