LABOR REVEALS DETAILS ON INJECTION ROOMS SCHEME

Operators of supervised injecting rooms would have to provide drug users
with counselling and access to treatment and rehabilitation services if
legislation, to go before the Victorian Parliament this week, is passed.

In a bid to win support for the controversial trial of injecting
facilities, Health Minister John Thwaites said the five municipalities with
the highest rates of drug use would receive $1.4million each for drug
treatment and rehabilitation programs.

And he asked the Opposition to compromise over the trial proposal, offering
it the opportunity for "maximum input into this whole process".

The minister revealed some details of the legislation that will be
presented this week but not voted on until parliament resumes in spring. It
includes:

A requirement that operators offer counselling services to drug users.

That injecting facilities provide access to drug rehabilitation and
treatment services.

That only adult drug users be allowed entry.

That the trial be limited to 18 months by law.

In an effort to convince MPs to support the legislation, Mr Thwaites
emphasised that supervised injecting facilities were just part of a
solution to the drug problem.

He said that so far this year about 130 people had died in Victoria from
drug overdoses.

"Injecting facilities, on their own, are not the answer. They are only
going to work if they are part of a treatment and rehabilitation program,"
he said.

Mr Thwaites said the Bracks Government was serious about helping people get
off drugs and would spend $60million this financial year on drug treatment
and rehabilitation services.

Opposition Leader Denis Napthine said the Liberal and National parties had
an "open mind" on the proposal but had concerns.

Dr Napthine wanted to know where the five proposed facilities would be
located, how they would operate and how the trial would be evaluated.

He said the Opposition was "consulting widely with residents and traders".