SAFE DRUG DEAL ZONE HITS NERVE

A LEGAL drug-dealing zone to get the deadly trade off suburban streets will
be considered by Greater Dandenong Council.

But the idea, outlined to a group of 15 state and federal MPs and 10
council staff on Friday, appears doomed after widespread condemnation
yesterday.

Premier Steve Bracks, the mayor of Greater Dandenong and police all opposed
the plan.

And drug experts warned a legalised street dealing zone would cause chaos
by attracting addicts from around Australia.

The council has suggested a police-free dealing zone be considered as part
of an overall response to the heroin problem.

But in a bizarre twist, Mayor Naim Melhem said yesterday he was against the
idea.

'I would never support it," he said. "It is an extraordinary matter to be
raised but we have to be honest about this.

"We are elected on behalf of the people to represent in a democratic open
way."

The proposal is believed to have been raised amid widespread concern about
the extent of street dealing in Dandenong, Springvale and Noble Park.

Under growing pressure to contain the drugs debate, Mr Bracks emphatically
rejected a legal dealing zone.

"This is not something that the State Government supports at all. In fact,
quite the opposite," he said. "We want to enforce with better policing on
the street, better resources for the drug squad.

"We want to have less dealing and clamp down on dealers. There's no
safe-dealing proposals under the new government."

Police Chief Commissioner Neil Comrie also condemned the concept.

Drug trafficking was a serious offence that contributed to the loss of many
young lives, he said.

"Any mention of a safe dealing area is a contradiction in terms and one
which Victoria Police can not support under any circumstances," Mr Comrie
said.

"Those detected selling drugs should be dealt with to the full extent of
the law and sentenced to substantial terms of imprisonment.

"Community energy should be directed towards reducing the supply and demand
for drugs, not putting in place measures which create the opposite situation."

The council will vote on December 8 whether to allow a safe-injecting house.

It has supported the idea on a trial basis, provided the safe house is away
from homes and is associated with a medical facility.