BRACKS TO OPEN HEROIN INJECTING ROOMS

Victoria's incoming Premier Steve Bracks said today he would introduce
safe heroin injecting rooms "as soon as possible".

Mr Bracks said 18-month trials for the injecting rooms would be held
in possibly five centres, once approval was gained from local government.

"I want to move on as quickly as possible because ... it's about
saving lives," he told radio 3AW's Neil Mitchell.

Mr Bracks said Labor's program to deal with the rising toll of heroin
deaths also included extra police and more rehabilitation facilities.

He said he would start talks with four local councils that had already
expressed interest in opening heroin injecting rooms when Labor
announced its policy.

"They are 18-month trials, so there is a limit and we won't do
anything else until these trials are over," he said.

"I want to get some trials up and I'll be having early discussions
with the health minister-elect John Thwaites about this," he said.

Mr Bracks said he wanted to start the trials "as soon as possible".