WOOLDRIDGE SAYS INJECTING ROOMS MAY SAVE LIVES

Federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge said today safe drug injecting
rooms may well save lives, but insisted it was a matter for state governments.

"I think it may very well save lives, but you do have to be very cautious
about a government allowing citizens to break the law and that is the
difficulty New South Wales had," Dr Wooldridge told AAP.

He was responding to comments by two Liberal MPs, state member John Ryan and
NSW Senator Marise Payne, at the NSW drugs summit that safe injecting rooms
saved lives.

"It really is a matter for state governments, not the commonwealth
government," Dr Wooldridge said.

"It's very hard for a government to condone breaking the law. I do have some
sympathy with the stand the New South Wales government took."

NSW police last week raided a safe injecting room at the Wayside Chapel in
Sydney's Kings Cross arresting one person.

Dr Wooldridge said the issue was complex and strictly a state matter.

"It's really a matter for them. If they wish to do it, and it's within the
law, that's up to them," he said.

"I think it may very well save lives, but you do have to be very cautious
about a government allowing citizens to break the law and that is the
difficulty New South Wales had.

"It's not a black and white or clear-cut issue at all. There are very
sincerely held views on both sides."