CHIKAROVSKI CRITICISES MEDIA OVER INJECTING ROOM

New South Opposition leader Kerry Chikarovski today criticised the
media for popularising a heroin injecting room trial to be run in Sydney.

Mrs Chikarovski said she would remain opposed to the 18-month trial of
the Kings Cross shooting gallery despite the media painting her as
hardline for her stance.

"We need to have the courage to stand up and say that just because
something is popular in the media doesn't mean it's right," she said.

"We've got to have the courage to say, for example, that an injecting
room is not about helping people give up drugs, it is merely about
facilitating their ongoing addiction."

Mrs Chikarovksi said she knew she was not popular with certain
sections of the media because of her anti-tolerance stance.

"That mightn't be popular with certain sections of the media who are
writing an agenda which says people like me who say things like that
aren't concerned with people's health, well that's wrong," she said.

"I am concerned about people who are involved."

The shooting gallery, to be run by the Uniting Church, is due to begin
operating in October.