VIC: Kennett says wait and see on drug injecting rooms

AAP General News (Australia)
08-30-1999
VIC: Kennett says wait and see on drug injecting rooms

FLINDERS, Vic, Aug 30 AAP - Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett today accused Labor of playing
with people's lives by promising to establish five safe drug injection facilities in
Melbourne.

Mr Kennett told reporters he was against the establishment of so-called safe injecting
rooms but would reconsider his stance after the results of a New South Wales trial.

Labor leader Steve Bracks today named the suburbs in which the ALP would establish safe
heroin injection facilities, accusing the coalition of going soft on the drugs issue.

Mr Kennett struck back by accusing Mr Bracks of rushing to set up injection rooms without
considering the health and policing risks.

"We are not going to approve safe injecting houses until we can so minimise the risks that
the potential advantages for those at risk are going to be improved," he said.

"This isn't about playing around with people's lives and at the moment that's all I'm
afraid the Labor Party is doing."

Mr Kennett said he was willing to wait for a NSW trial to run its course before
reconsidering the issue.

AAP pjb/sp/jlw/ah/br

KEYWORD: POLLVIC DRUGS KENNETT

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