POLICE TO KEEP OUT OF HEROIN ROOM PLAN

Police command has refused to participate in the management of
supervised injecting rooms and their steering committees, Chief
Commissioner Neil Comrie said in a statement delivered to State
Parliament yesterday.

Mr Comrie's statement stressed the need for police to enforce the
law.

But he said the Victoria Police would work with the government and
stakeholders in the implementation of facilities if key criteria were
met.

Mr Comrie said police would ensure that law enforcement was not
compromised in the process.

He said police would have to be involved in decisions about where the
injecting facilities were located.

Mr Comrie said legislation should also clarify the legality of
personal drug use and possession in the facilities, and the correct
assessment of heroin-dependent users.

He warned that police would continue to target drug traffickers in the
areas surrounding the facilities and that officers could charge people
found with heroin in the vicinity of facilities.

"Victoria Police will ensure a high level of uniform patrols in the
vicinity and conduct covert operations to detect drug dealers," Mr
Comrie said.

The Victoria Police policy statement was delivered as legislation
providing for the opening of supervised injection rooms in Victoria
went before parliament yesterday.

Mr Comrie said police patrols would not be restricted in the immediate
vicinity of the facilities and members would exercise their discretion
on charging people found in possession of drugs near the facilities.

"This type of discretion is currently used in relation to needle and
syringe program outlets," Mr Comrie said.

"Victoria Police will work closely with local committees to develop
local protocols and communication with the management of supervised
injecting facilities," he said.