DRUG ROOM PLEA TO LIBS

Port Phillip and Yarra plan to push ahead with injecting room
proposals and have pleaded with the State Opposition for support. But
Opposition Leader Denis Napthine has given the strongest signal yet
that the Liberals would oppose the legislation.

"There does seem to be a growing opposition at the community level -
particularly among individuals, family members and the retail sector -
about injecting facilities and where they might be located," he said.

Dr Napthine said the decision by the ALP-dominated Greater Dandenong
Council to reject a trial in Springvale was a clear indication of
community views.

But Port Phillip mayor Julian Hill and Yarra mayor John Phillips said
their communities were behind the trial and it should not be stopped
by petty politics.

"The Opposition must put aside the temptation to play games with
locations or pretend they need operational plans before decisions are
made," Cr Hill said.

Mr Phillips said the Opposition should not be distracted by the
Dandenong vote.

"We can't do it without State legislation. The Opposition holds the
cards here and I appeal to them to act in a proper and noble way," he
said.

"It is much too serious to be playing politics."

Greater Dandenong Council came under fire yesterday from local
community groups.

Springvale Secondary College principal Neil Bates, Springvale Drug
Action Committee chairman Eddie Micallef and Springvale Open Family
youth worker Carmel Barber expressed their shock to the Herald Sun.

"I was very disappointed with the decision. Our school is right in the
middle of Springvale. We have faced this issue head on for the past
five years," Mr Bates said. "We see it every day on the streets and
although our VCE results are outstanding, there is a perception
because of the drug issue Springvale is a no-go area."

Mr Micallef said the committee, which included traders, some
councillors and the police, was in favor of a trial.

"I am not happy that the council looked at the decisions before the
final passage through parliament. We supported a trial of a facility."

Ms Barber said the decision was short-sighted.

"I don't think anybody even consulted the drug users. I think there is
a fair bit of fear and misunderstanding," she said.

The State Government has proposed an injecting room trial in five
Melbourne suburbs - Footscray, St Kilda, Collingwood, the CBD and Springvale.

St Kilda and Collingwood look to be the strongest possibilities for
sanctioned injecting rooms, if the Opposition supports the move.