HEROIN 'SAFE ROOM' BEFORE CABINET

ACT Health Minister Michael Moore is expected to outline his plans on
Thursday for the country's first "safe injecting room" in an effort to
reduce heroin-related death and disease.

The safe injecting room - at a yet-unidentified site in Civic - will allow
heroin addicts to take their drugs in the presence of a nurse and other
support.

Mr Moore would not confirm plans, but it is understood the issue was
thrashed out in the Liberal Cabinet meeting last night. It will come before
the Assembly this week.

It is possible Mr Moore will simply present his proposal to the Assembly,
and not ask for the go-ahead until next year.

The injecting room would operate as a scientific trial.

Mr Moore has two options for a safe injecting room, and it was unclear last
night which way he will go. They are:

Introducing legislation to make it legal for people to self-administer in a
safe room.

Or directing the Director of Public Prosecutions not to prosecute, and
asking the police to cooperate.

Mr Moore is likely to face his strongest opposition among the more
conservative Liberals, although Labor is likely to back the proposal. It is
unclear whether the Liberals will vote as a party, or allow a conscience vote.

A spokesman for federal Health Minister Michael Wooldridge said last night
he had no concerns, providing the plan did not require federal legislation
to allow the supply of heroin, as in the defunct heroin trial. (The ACT
plan will not supply heroin to addicts, simply provide clean needles, a
place for users to inject their own heroin, and counselling and support
services.)

Mr Wooldridge's spokesman said he saw some merit in the ACT proposal and
believed Mr Moore was "showing some leadership" on the issue. But it was
important that he take the community with him, and clearly demonstrate
benefits.

The Federal Government was watching with interest, he said.

The police did not want to comment yesterday.

Safe injecting rooms are in line with recommendations of the NSW Wood royal
commission into police corruption.

The commission said it was "somewhat short-sighted" to shrink from
providing places where users could safely inject, given that publicly
funded programs already provided needles and syringes to drug users to
administer prohibited drugs.

It outlined a series of "good reasons" for safe injecting rooms, including
curbing the spread of infectious diseases; safe disposal of syringes and
needles; the ability to offer treatment and education to users; and first
aid in the event of an overdose.

The health and public-safety benefits outweighed arguments against
condoning otherwise unlawful behaviour.

Labor Leader Jon Stanhope is reserving his support until he sees the detail
of Mr Moore's proposal. He has urged caution, saying Mr Moore must "assure
himself" of community backing.

Checked-by: derek rea