GOVT TOLD INJECTING ROOMS WASTE MONEY

The ACT Government has put on hold talk of a heroin injecting room
after a drug task force advised it would be a waste of money.

The Government has committed $250,000 to pay for alternative
strategies like a trial of needle vending machines.

A report released by the Alcohol and Other Drugs task force today
recommends an extra 100 places for the methadone program and a trial
of 24 hour access vending machines.

Task force chair Tony Sherbon says an injecting room would be
impractical because most drug use occurs at home.

"The supervised injecting place trial in the act should not be listed
a high priority for Government action," he said.

Health Minister Simon Corbell says the state Government remains
committed to reducing harm and disease from drug use by making it
easier to access clean syringes.

Drug users support group Directions ACT says introducing vending
machines would be a great achievement.