DRUGS AND THE NEED FOR LEADERSHIP

IRRESPECTIVE of how one comes down on the question of supervised injecting
rooms, the observation by the Victorian Government's adviser on drug
policy, David Penington, that society is in denial about the drug crisis is
beyond challenge. The unseemly spectacle of Dr Penington being harangued at
a recent public meeting in Dandenong provided further confirmation that too
many people are still under the impression that the drug problem will be
defeated by loud voices, indignant rhetoric and the "Just Say No" mantra.
Without doubt, heroin is a deadly drug and there are sound reasons for it
remaining illegal.

But it is made even more deadly by the circumstances in which many addicts
inject it. That is the thinking behind the pilot program for supervised
heroin-injecting facilities being proposed by the Victorian Government and
advocated by Dr Penington. The efficacy of establishing permanent
supervised injecting rooms remains in question, given the uncertainties
about law enforcement in the immediate vicinity of the facilities and the
ultimate effectiveness of the rooms in saving lives.

But, on balance, we believe a trial should go ahead.

However, getting the pilot program up requires a shoulder-to-the-wheel
approach by everyone who supports the trial.

As Dr Penington has pointed out, local communities want to tackle the drug
crisis on two conditions: that someone else does the work and that they do
it somewhere else. This attitude is unrealistic and self-defeating. Among
the most deluded of the arguments against injecting rooms is the suggestion
that the facilities will create a "honey pot" effect by attracting drug users.

The existing heavy heroin-trade areas are already honey pots and it is
ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

The drug problem in our society has its roots in our homes, in our schools,
in our workplaces, in our popular culture.

As Dr Penington says, the best way to roll back heroin use is to make young
people feel valued.

Part of that approach must be an acknowledgement by the community that
heroin users are part of our society and not outside it. The Bracks
Government needs to redouble its efforts on this issue.

While it has shown sensitivity to local concerns by encouraging a
consultation process, the government should also understand that the time
for debating these issues is nearing expiration. Debates do not equate with
action, and Dr Penington's experience in Dandenong shows that without
strong leadership - a thorough and forceful advocacy of the government's
position from Premier Steve Bracks, Health Minister John Thwaites and
Labor's back bench - the trial proposal will continue to be
trouble-plagued. It is part of the government's job to shake complacent
citizens from their state of denial.

The lives of many, many young people could depend on it.