The Labor government in Victoria has announced plans to establish a drug injecting room following a review into the Medically Supervised Injecting Room trial that found it had saved 63 lives and successfully managed almost 6,000 overdoses. The review panel made 10 recommendations, including the continuation of the MSIR. However, the government ruled out expanding access to peer/partner injecting, among other things. The proposal has been met with both strong support and strong opposition, with many residents who oppose the facility being ignored. The current MSIR in North Richmond has caused controversy due to its location near a primary school and incidents of antisocial and dangerous behavior from drug users. Some opponents of the facility have called for rehabilitation resources to be installed instead of facilitating an illegal activity. The government’s decision to establish another facility in Melbourne could add to the state’s existing drug problems and negatively impact the amenity and safety of nearby residents and businesses.
Refusal of additional drug injection site.
