Pubdate: Sun, 22 Apr 2001
Source: Sun-Herald (Australia)
Copyright: 2001 John Fairfax Holdings Ltd
Contact:  http://www.sunherald.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/431
Author: Sue Williams
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms)

STAFF LINING UP TO MAN HEROIN TRIAL

The safe injecting room at Kings Cross has been inundated with applications 
from nurses and drug and alcohol counsellors eager to work on the landmark 
trial.

A 67-year-old woman living in South Africa has even sent a plea to be 
considered for a job, despite having no experience in the health or drugs 
fields.

The enthusiasm of potential helpers has taken those setting up the 
controversial experiment, which last week won permission to start after May 
1, by surprise.

Dr Ingrid van Beek, who is overseeing the trial at the Kirketon Road 
Centre, said: "We've had a huge response and we're pleased by the number of 
people writing in.

"We've sent out 45 information packs just from one round of advertising. 
There's a lot of people out there who want to work in this."

Ironically, she believes the flurry of publicity from the bid by the Kings 
Cross Chamber of Commerce to stop the injecting rooms going ahead at its 
chosen site on Darlinghurst Road has meant the level of interest is much 
higher.

The exact opening date is being kept a strict secret in a bid to try and 
avoid crowds of press and onlookers at the start, some time after May 1, 
and to make sure potential customers aren't put off.

At first the room will open only for four hours from 10am, but after new 
workers are trained, it will also operate for a four-hour evening period 
from 6pm.

There will be strict rules, however, about dealing drugs on the premises 
and, if staff see any evidence of that happening, they will immediately 
call in the police. Neither will the centre be a safe haven for anyone 
dealing in drugs outside if they run inside while being pursued by police.

"There will be no no-go area or precinct in which people are allowed to 
deal drugs," Dr van Beek said. "There will be zero tolerance for drug 
supply right up to the doorstop and on the premises.

"Our code of conduct includes no dealing on the premises and if staff 
detect that they will report it to the police. And if the police should be 
in pursuit of someone who runs on to the premises, they can follow. No way 
will we stand in the way of the police doing their job.

"We support policing the drug supply. We don't see any good in lots of 
people being able to get drugs cheaply."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager