BRACKS BACKS INJECTING ROOMS

Legislation that could decide whether supervised injecting rooms for heroin
addicts are established in Melbourne was introduced in State Parliament
yesterday.

The legislation, introduced by the Bracks Government and to be debated in
the spring session, would, if passed, give Parliament control over
supervised injecting centres proposed for five municipalities.

The Injecting Facilities Bill provides for supervised centres to be tried
out for 18 months in the municipalities of Melbourne, Port Phillip, Yarra,
Greater Dandenong and Maribyrnong.

Health Minister John Thwaites said the new legislation aimed to fight the
heroin scourge that killed 359 people in Victoria last year.

"Drug abuse is without doubt one of the major challenges facing the
community today," Mr Thwaites told Parliament.

"It is a challenge that can only be met by a careful and thorough reform of
our current social, health and law enforcement agencies."

Support from the Opposition is required to get the legislation through
Parliament's Upper House.