Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2003 Source: Daily News, The (CN NS) Copyright: 2003 The Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179 Author: Mike Corder Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) CHURCH-RUN HEROIN INJECTING CENTRE IN AUSTRALIA A SUCCESS- Independent Review SYDNEY (CP) -- A church-run heroin injecting centre in Sydney's red-light district has saved lives and taken addicts off the streets, said an independent report published Wednesday. But Australia's prime minister scathingly condemned the project. At the centre, run by a branch of the Protestant Uniting Church, drug addicts inject themselves under the supervision of medical staff trained and equipped to treat overdoses and provide counselling. The addicts bring their own heroin, but the centre's services are free of charge. The Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross nightlife district was set up as a trial project in May 2001 by the New South Wales state government. It sparked protests from anti-drug campaigners and some conservative groups. The report said the centre had helped save lives and reduce crime. Prime Minister John Howard condemned the project, saying the state government get no co-operation from his conservative federal administration. "I've never supported heroin trials and I've never supported heroin injecting rooms and this government never will," he told reporters. Supporters have argued the centre would reduce overdoses, educate users, increase treatment and improve the seedy street scene in Australia's best-known red-light district. Opponents have said it would encourage drug abuse and crime. A recent report - by a committee of five people including health and rehabilitation experts and the head of the state's crime research bureau - found that the centre had treated more than 300 drug overdoses with no fatalities. The report said drug-related crime in the area fell, and recommended the centre continue operating on a monitored trial basis. "This is the biggest good news story in the last 10 years," said Lee Rhiannon, a Greens Party legislator in New South Wales' parliament. He called on the government to open more centres throughout the state. State government minister John Della Bosca said he would urge authorities to continue the trial. Similar officially sanctioned injecting rooms operate in other countries, including the Netherlands and Switzerland, but Sydney's so-called "shooting gallery" is Australia's first. The report said there were 56,861 visits to the centre with an average of 15 visits for each of the 3,810 registered clients. Heroin was taken by 61 per cent of users, and cocaine by 30 per cent. Other drugs made up the rest. The centre made 1,385 written referrals for clients for treatment and counselling. Nearly 300 were confirmed to have been followed through. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl