THE TRUTH ABOUT WESLEY MISSION

The letter by Vincent Mahon (20/4), titled "The truth about injecting
rooms", is not truthful. Wesley Mission Melbourne is not operating a
heroin injecting room.

Wesley has responded to the escalating heroin crisis in the CBD by
undertaking extensive research into harm reduction strategies that
have been effective in helping to address the heroin problem in other
countries.

Based on this research, Wesley has developed a primary health care
facility designed to incorporate a supervised injecting room as well
as areas for the provision of a range of other health
interventions.

It will only open, as a carefully controlled trial, if and when
appropriate approvals have been granted by the Department of Human
Services, following the processes recommended by the Penington Drug
Policy Expert Committee.

Meanwhile, Wesley’s drug outreach service provides counselling,
nursing care, referral into detoxification and rehabilitation
services, and referral into other services such as emergency housing.

We work closely with the police, who are, contrary to the view of Mr
Mahon, often in the area and are keen to do what they can to control
the situation.

We, like many other businesses in this part of the CDB have needed to
take measures to increase security in the face of the increasing crime
associated with the street drug problem. We do not "employ armed
guards 24 hours a day" as claimed by Mr Mahon.

Supervised injecting rooms are not the solution, however. They address
only the symptoms of the problem. Until we find more effective ways of
addressing the heroin epidemic such interventions are regrettably necessary.

TIMOTHY LANGLEY,
Melbourne Superintendent.
Wesley Mission Melbourne