'SHOOTING GALLERY' SHELVED

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for Australia's first safe injecting room for
drug users has been shelved.

The proposal sponsored by ACT Health Minister Michael Moore will now
be opened to more community consultation after he failed to push the
plan through Parliament.

The plan involved providing a haven for drug addicts where they could
inject their drugs and have access to clean needles and medical staff.

But key Green Kerrie Tucker wanted it more widely opened to community
consultation and she was supported by the ACT Council of Social Service.

Mr Moore had hoped to push legislation through in February, but it is
now unlikely to be debated before late this year. A public forum on
the proposal will go ahead next month as planned.