PENINGTON CONCERNED OVER MISSION'S LOCATION

David Penington yesterday expressed concern about the siting of Wesley
Central Mission's proposed supervised heroin injection centre in Lonsdale
Street.

"I see some difficulty with Wesley meeting the requirements in respect of
location," he said.

Dr Penington, chairman of the Drug Policy Expert Committee, said under
protocols that he had recommended the location was a judgment for local
government after widespread consultations, including within its own
community.

"That process needs to be done before (going ahead)," he said.

Dr Penington said it was "perfectly natural" that Wesley had built its
centre on the mission's grounds in Lonsdale Street given its proximity to
the CBD street-drug scene.

Wesley, he said, had consulted with the former health minister, Rob Knowles,
who had satisfied them it would be approved after the last state election.
"They went ahead on that basis," he said.

However, the political environment had changed. The Wesley site in Lonsdale
Street had now become a "major political issue" after complaints from the
vocal lobby group Residents 3000, Dr Penington conceded.

Meanwhile, the new managing director of Victoria Legal Aid, solicitor Tony
Parsons, entered the debate saying it was time to have a "serious look" at
heroin trials.

Mr Parsons told the morning program on radio 774 ABC Melbourne that Victoria
Legal Aid had spent about $20 million a year assisting people in relation to
drug-related crimes.

"If we can effect savings of that order of magnitude by giving heroin
addicts their heroin and thereby taking away their need to commit crime ...
then it's something we've at least got to have a serious look at," he said.

But Mr Parsons - who formally takes up his position on June 26 - later
declined to expand on his views to The Age, saying he did not want to
discuss "contentious policy" until he had assumed his new role.

Asked if he had been silenced on this matter by the State Government, Mr
Parsons replied: "No."