Pubdate: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 Source: Australian Associated Press (Australia) Copyright: 1999 Australian Associated Press BRACKS TO OPEN HEROIN INJECTING ROOMS Victoria's incoming Premier Steve Bracks said today he would introduce safe heroin injecting rooms "as soon as possible". Mr Bracks said 18-month trials for the injecting rooms would be held in possibly five centres, once approval was gained from local government. "I want to move on as quickly as possible because ... it's about saving lives," he told radio 3AW's Neil Mitchell. Mr Bracks said Labor's program to deal with the rising toll of heroin deaths also included extra police and more rehabilitation facilities. He said he would start talks with four local councils that had already expressed interest in opening heroin injecting rooms when Labor announced its policy. "They are 18-month trials, so there is a limit and we won't do anything else until these trials are over," he said. "I want to get some trials up and I'll be having early discussions with the health minister-elect John Thwaites about this," he said. Mr Bracks said he wanted to start the trials "as soon as possible". - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto