ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DRUGS GALLERY

Police Raid Kings Cross T-Room

Police made their first move against an illegal heroin shooting gallery in
Sydney's Kings Cross yesterday, gathering evidence for possible prosecutions
against its organisers.

But the officers found no addicts using the Wayside Chapel's so-called
Tolerance Room, or T-Room, and left empty-handed after taking video footage
of unused tables and chairs.

One addict ran out of the room shortly after police arrived, then injected
herself outside the chapel, just metres from assembled media.

Police interviewed the chapel's pastor, Reverend Ray Richmond, and other
T-Room volunteers, with Kings Cross Patrol Commander Bob Myatt warning
further action was being considered.

"We have gathered evidence, we'll be gathering more evidence and we'll be
analysing that evidence and we'll be taking any appropriate action that we
need to take," Mr Myatt said.

No one was arrested and police did not tell organisers to close down the T-Room.

While police were anxious not to turn T-Room organisers into martyrs, drugs
campaigner Tony Trimmingham claimed their presence was harassment and would
not stop the controversial facility.

"Of course it's harassment. Their presence here is designed to turn people
away from the place," Mr Trimmingham said.

He said police in the T-Room were courteous but had indicated they would
visit it again on Friday and whenever it subsequently opened.

NSW Christian Democrats MP Fred Nile turned up outside the chapel and
claimed police acted after complaints he made to Commissioner Peter Ryan and
Mr Myatt yesterday morning.

Police have been under pressure to act all week and Mr Nile said the law
would have become a joke had they ignored yesterday's activities.

Mr Richmond said some addicts used the T-Room today but many were
discouraged by a large media pack gathered outside the chapel in
anticipation of a police raid.