Drug users sought for heroin supervision jobs at North Richmond injecting room

CURRENT and former drug addicts could be paid to help heroin users shoot up at Victoria’s first supervised drug-taking centre in North Richmond, with a job listing for the centre asking candidates to disclose their drug experiences.

EXCLUSIVE: Current and former drug addicts could be paid to help heroin users shoot up at Victoria’s first supervised drug-taking centre.

A job listing for the North Richmond centre asks applicants to disclose their drug experiences, according to documents obtained by the Herald Sun.

“Applicants with lived experience of substance use are encouraged to apply,” the document states.

Taxpayers would foot the bill for the “harm minimisation” workers at the Lennox St centre, who would be responsible for supervising heroin users while they get their fixes, providing clean needles and dealing with overdoses.

HOW A SAFE INJECTING ROOM WORKS

An artist’s impression of the injecting centre’s interior. Picture: Supplied

Plans for the new medical injecting room facility have been revealed. Picture: Supplied

The five-page job listing was provided by a whistleblower in the alcohol and drug field, who said they felt offended to be asked about their drug use during an application.

A spokeswoman for the centre could not confirm the job salary range, which is listed as “dependent on experience”.

The Herald Sun understands similar roles attract a full time salary of at least $50,000 a year.

The long-awaited centre will open in 2019, with an interim centre expected to open in June.

NORTH RICHMOND SAFE INJECTING ROOM PLANS REVEALED

Addicts will have eight private injecting booths, two consulting rooms and an after-care area.

A government spokesman declined to comment when asked whether drug addicts would be employed.

“While it’s not a prerequisite, people who have experienced addiction, or know of someone who has, are encouraged to apply,” he said.

The centre was given the green light by the Andrews Government last October in a policy about-turn. The decision followed a surge in overdoses and drug-fuelled violence in the Richmond area that set the community on edge.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the new centre would save lives. Picture: Nicole Garmston

DAN’S SAFE DRUG INJECTING ROOM BACKFLIP

CALL FOR SAFE INJECTING ROOM TRIAL IN FOOTSCRAY

Last week former premier Jeff Kennett quit an advisory body in protest over the rorts for votes scandal.

Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy, who has previously likened the centre to “a government-sanctioned drug ghetto”, slammed the centre.

“This is more proof Daniel Andrews broke his promise to not introduce drug injecting rooms and rushed this policy out the door to try to win the Northcote by-election,” she said.

“Instead of playing politics with drug addiction, the Premier should do his homework and get the policy right.”

The centre will be funded under the Andrews Government’s $87 million Drug Rehabilitation Plan and operated by North Richmond Community Health.

A spokeswoman for North Richmond Community Health declined to comment.

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