Vic: Injecting rooms doomed after Libs reject idea

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-2000
Vic: Injecting rooms doomed after Libs reject idea

The Victorian government's parliamentary push for heroin injecting rooms looks doomed,
with the Liberal Opposition's announcement that it will block the planned legislation.

Opposition leader DENIS NAPTHINE says the injecting rooms would send the wrong message
to Victorians and condone rather than condemn illicit drug use.

Dr NAPTHINE says the party unanimously opposed the initiative.

He says his personal opinion was swayed in part by a teenager who asked him how the
government could decry the illegal drug use while setting up centres for heroin injection.

As an alternative, the Opposition has announced an $80 million a year anti-drugs campaign
aimed heavily at traffickers.

The Liberal strategy includes confiscation of all of a drug trafficker's assets, introducing
special drug divisions in the magistrates and county courts, and introducing compulsory
detoxification treatment for overdose victims.

The plan also includes no waiting time for drug treatment by opening up to 500 new
detoxification and rehabilitation beds.

Dr NAPTHINE says he'll seek bi-partisan support for the strategy.

Parliament resumes next week, with the heroin injecting room on the agenda for debate.

AAP RTV gfr/jlw/dmc/rt

KEYWORD: INJECT LIBERALS (GEELONG)

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