DEBATING DRUGS

THE latest discussion paper from the Victorian Government's drug policy
committee raises several questions on the wisdom or otherwise of
establishing heroin injection rooms.

For example, the committee, headed by Dr David Penington, says the rooms may
have to move around from area to area to keep pace with shifting drug
markets.

Dr Penington ruled out caravans and said the rooms would not be near major
community facilities.

So in whose backyard will they be?

And what will the police be doing while the nomadic injection rooms are
following the drug-dealers about the suburbs?

Will the police be arresting pedlars as they supply addicts queuing to use
the rooms? The committee still faces a big job selling the idea to a dubious
community.