VICTORIA PUSHING AHEAD WITH PLANS FOR SAFE INJECTING HOUSES

Victoria's first safe injecting house could be operating by the end of the
year.

The State Government has accepted a recommendation by its Drugs Advisory
Committee that it establish the houses on a trial basis.

Five locations have been identified for the houses.

They are Melbourne, Footscray, St Kilda, Springvale and the
Collingwood-Fitzroy area.

The Health Minister, John Thwaites, says the houses cannot be near homes,
shops, schools or kindergartens and would need the support of the
communities concerned.

He says only adults would be able to use the houses, which would operate on
an 18-month trial basis.

Mr Thwaites will hold urgent talks with interest groups and produce a
legislative framework for the houses.

"I would hope that we can pass that legislation in the spring," Mr Thwaites
said.

But The Shadow Health Minister Robert Doyle, says the Opposition wants to
see more details of the safe injecting houses plan before it can support it.

"There are still some questions to be answered about the specific
proposals," Mr Doyle said.