HEROIN ROOM DOOMED

VICTORIA'S controversial trial of heroin injecting rooms appears certain to
be defeated. Two key independent MPs yesterday added their voices to growing
opposition to the plan for five state-sanctioned injecting rooms in
Melbourne suburbs.

Mildura MP Russell Savage and Gippsland East MP Craig Ingram indicated they
would vote against legislation planned by the Bracks Government.

Both the Liberal and National parties have already expressed serious
concerns with the radical plan.

Their combined numbers would ensure the heroin trial legislation was
defeated in the lower house.

Premier Steve Bracks, who ruled out pushing ahead with injecting rooms
without legislation, appealed to Opposition MPs to back the trial.

"I'd ask them to reconsider," he said.

"I'd be disappointed if the other political parties or the independents
didn't see it as a comprehensive proposal but wanted to pick and choose from
it.

"Almost 100 people have died this year from heroin overdoses already ... I'm
not going to stand by as Premier and just let that happen."

But Mr Savage described heroin injecting rooms as de facto legalisation of
the drug.

"How will the age of drug users be determined by those in control of safe
injecting facilities?" he said.

The government could not answer this question yesterday.

A spokeswoman for Health Minister John Thwaites said details such as proof
of age had not been settled.

Mr Ingram said his gut feeling was that he would oppose the trial. "I do
have some concerns about safe injecting rooms and the message it sends," he
said.

State National Party leader Peter Ryan expressed his hardline opposition
yesterday.

Mr Ryan signalled his party could pressure its Liberal partners to follow
suit.

"I think this is a further step towards the ultimate surrender, which is
legalising heroin," he said. "It's an appalling message for young people."

Liberal leader Denis Napthine said he had grave reservations about "such a
radical social experiment".

"I think Mr Bracks has got to explain to the community why he thinks it is
OK to create a facility where people are encouraged to inject dangerous and
illegal drugs into their bodies," he said.

Dr Napthine said he would seek widespread consultation to test community
feeling before committing to a position.

He will also have to unite his party, with some pressing him to allow the
plan to proceed while others, including Prime Minister John Howard, are
vehemently opposed.

The Benalla by-election on May 13 now looks set to be held amid fierce
debate over the issue.

But a win will not strengthen the government's chances of passing the
legislation, with the Liberals' 24 MPs decisively ruling the upper house.

The numbers in the lower house are ALP 42, independents 3, Liberal 36,
Nationals 7.

The government still has the support of Victoria's third independent MP, Ms
Susan Davies, who promised not to oppose the trials if they were conducted
with the support of local communities.

Ms Davies said she had been assured the first priority would be more
rehabilitation and detoxification services.

One drug support group, Open Family Australia, yesterday challenged Mr
Bracks to proceed without legislation, saying the government could be
accused of setting up an easy escape route from its controversial
commitment.