Pubdate: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 Source: Herald Sun (Australia) Copyright: News Limited 2000 Contact: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ Author: Damon Johnston and Fran Cusworth FIVE INJECTING HOUSES SOON FIVE injecting houses will open in Melbourne within months after drug experts approved the Bracks Government's plan to tackle the heroin scourge. The houses are planned for St Kilda, Collingwood, Footscray, Springvale and the CBD. Local councils could be given the option of having more than one injecting house, increasing the number to higher than five. After getting the nod from a drugs inquiry headed by Professor David Penington, the government is expected to move quickly to open the houses for an 18-month trial. Prof. Penington will today release the findings of his five-month investigation into combating the state's heroin problem, which has already claimed 95 lives this year. The report is the first stage of the inquiry, with the seven-member committee expected to release further recommendations this year. "The issue of injecting houses will be conducted in full consultation with the local communities and will only go ahead with the support of those local communities," Prof. Penington told the Herald Sun last night. Sources said the report backed a long experiment with injecting houses and the trial of a life-saving plan for addicts who overdosed in them. The houses will have oxygen cylinders and masks for trained nurses to use to revive addicts. The move, based on overseas experience, represents a switch from the traditional anti-overdose drug Narcan, which can have deadly side effects. Experts believe oxygen can be as effective in reviving addicts as Narcan, which can reduce addicts' tolerance and increase the chances of a fatal overdose. Prof. Penington is expected to recommend the injecting houses not be placed near schools, kindergartens or residential areas. The houses could vary but are all likely to include: DISCREET entrances leading to reception and waiting areas and space for injecting. LINKS to a wide range of treatment, support and rehabilitation services. A BAN on anyone under 18 or intoxicated by alcohol or other drugs. STRICT rules on behavior and measures to ensure users do not interfere with anyone else. The government expects to have the five houses operating within months but is committed to talks with councils and residents. It has promised to woo councils with up to $8million in extra funding to cover the costs of the houses. The success criteria are likely to be the number of lives saved, the ability to direct users into rehabilitation and cutting street nuisance. Prof. Penington's report is likely to lead to the Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act being amended to pave the way for heroin injection houses. Changes could be passed by regulation or through negotiation between police, the government and the Director of Public Prosecutions. Premier Steve Bracks in February privately toured one of Switzerland's 13 injecting clinics. He was impressed by the permanent police presence and by Swiss claims they had solved the problem of dumped syringes. The Zurich building had no signs to suggest it was a clinic and saw about 100 people a day, with cafe-style facilities. Wesley Central Mission has set up facilities for users on church grounds in Lonsdale St, but has denied it was running Melbourne's first injection clinic. Health workers staffing the portable building on Wesley's site did not help users inject, the welfare agency said. The de facto clinic has saved more than 40 users from dying after overdose and was set up after three users died on or near the church last year. - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck