Pubdate: Sat, 19 Aug 2000
Source: Age, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2000 David Syme & Co Ltd
Contact:  250 Spencer Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia
Website: http://www.theage.com.au/
Author: Adrian Rollins, State Political Reporter

YOUTH 'NO' TO HEROIN ROOMS

A Victorian youth forum has joined those opposed to the trial of supervised 
drug injecting facilities.

In a move welcomed by the Opposition, a delegation of 100 young people 
representing about 220,000 students from 320 schools told MPs yesterday 
they did not support the introduction of injecting rooms.

The delegates said establishing such facilities would encourage drug use 
rather than help curb the harm caused by substance abuse.

They called for "TAC-style" campaigns to raise awareness of the issue, the 
use of counsellors rather than police to deal with drug users, more 
rehabilitation services and a crackdown on drug dealers.

On a more radical note, the delegation said marijuana should be legalised 
because "it is safer than alcohol, the black market (in the drug) would be 
abolished and hemp would be available for clothes".

Opposition youth affairs spokesman Ian Cover said the forum's outcome 
vindicated the Liberal Party's decision earlier this month to oppose the 
Victorian Government's proposed trial of injecting rooms.

Mr Cover said it showed the Opposition reflected the views of the 
community, and called on the government to "start listening".

"Our decision has been in line with community thinking on the issue and 
that has been reinforced by the youth of Victoria," he said.

But a spokeswoman said the Bracks Government was committed to injecting 
room legislation in Parliament because something had to be done to save the 
lives of "chaotic" drug users.

"Our policy is a comprehensive plan across all areas and injecting rooms 
was a small but important part of it," she said.
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