'TOLERANCE ROOM' CLOSES FOR GOOD

An illegal heroin shooting gallery in Sydney would not reopen following the
New South Wales Drug Summit's decision to trial safe injecting rooms,
organisers said today.

The so-called Tolerance Room, or T-Room, caused a national outcry when it
opened at the Wayside Chapel in Kings Cross in the weeks leading up to the
summit, but Reverend Ray Richmond said last night's decision meant it was no
longer needed.

"I think now NSW is in a position to lead the whole of Australia and I think
the whole world is watching," Rev Richmond told reporters.

"I am greatly indebted to (Premier) Bob Carr for this rather dangerous move
of having an open ended drug summit and I think most people are really
delighted with the outcomes, the hard work is yet ahead."

He said he could think of five communities that would benefit from a safe
injecting room, including inner-Sydney Kings Cross and Redfern and Nimbin on
the state's north coast.

Fellow T-Room organiser Tony Trimingham has spoken about the need for an
injecting facility on the central coast and the notorious heroin hotspot of
Cabramatta is another likely candidate.

Rev Richmond said it would be difficult for Mr Carr to back away from any of
the resolutions passed by the summit.

He was confident safe injecting room trials would go ahead and the T-Room
would not need to reopen.

The crusading pastor said the controversial T-Room had played a part in
winning delegates' support for safe injecting rooms.