INJECTING ROOMS: STANHOPE SETS OUT LABOR'S DEMANDS

A safe injecting space would not be considered by the ALP until a juvenile
rehabilitation centre had been established, and questions answered about
the controversial policy, according to a letter Opposition Leader Jon
Stanhope sent Health Minister Michael Moore last Friday.

Mr Stanhope said the party required "rigorous answers" to questions on many
legal issues, such as when and where it would be legal to possess heroin;
what kind of staff would be needed, and how many; as well as how the
success or otherwise of the injecting place would be assessed.

He also voiced concerns about a possible escalation in drug dealing around
the injecting place and in the ACT generally, and asked whether the trial
would "send the wrong message to young people in our community".

As the Liberals are to be allowed a conscience vote on the issue, Mr Moore
needs the support of Labor and Greens' MLA Kerrie Tucker to get the
proposal through the Assembly.

Mr Moore withdrew the proposal last month, in the face of shaky support.

Mr Moore said ACT community groups had applied to the Commonwealth for
"Tough on Drugs" money, for a juvenile rehabilitation facility.

The ACT had missed out in the first and second funding rounds, but he and
Chief Minister Kate Carnell had approached the federal Health Minister, Dr
Michael Wooldridge, last year, and were hoping for a better outcome this time.

"If this round does not deliver a youth rehab service, then I will find a
way to deliver it," Mr Moore said.

He said the questions Mr Stanhope asked were similar to many he was seeking
answers to.

Mr Moore said he was "looking at what we can achieve, rather than dwelling
on all the problems".

If former ALP health minister Neal Blewett had taken a negative approach,
Australia's world-renowned needle exchange program would not have come to
fruition, he said.