Fears new injecting room will ruin reformed addicts’ ‘safe haven’

The proposed location of Melbourne’s newest CBD injecting centre has drawn more controversy, with locals now fearful of the impact it could have on a popular spot for reformed drug addicts.

Local residents Martin Mulvihill with Moon Ramone, Sam Weaner, Clynton Cooper-Alyn, Rae Jewell and Alexander Weaner at the community garden at Drill Hall Multicultural Hub, the site of the proposed new safe injecting room. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

It’s feared reformed drug addicts could be put at risk with the proposed CBD injecting centre to be built next a “safe space” community garden.

The garden, on the corner of Victoria and Therry streets, would be just metres from the medically supervised injecting room.

Nearby resident Martin Mulvihill told the Sunday Herald Sun the garden was a haven for people in a nearby affordable housing complex, some whom had battled addiction.

“We have people here who have had all sorts of problems,” Mr Mulvihill said.

“Some of them have experienced the rough end of the drug trade and I don’t think they want to go through that again.

“There are others who have become engaged with the garden who have been isolated, but the garden brings them out. And that has been a wonderful thing to see.”

Mr Mulvihill feared the area would likely become “collateral damage” with drug use and paraphernalia unavoidable if the injecting centre went ahead.

Local resident Martin Mulvihill at the community garden at Drill Hall Multicultural Hub, the site of the proposed new safe injecting room. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

He said the garden had transformed the area and brought residents from all walks of life together.

“I’m not sure how the injection centre will affect it, but I think it would be fair to say quite negatively,’’ Mr Mulvihill said.

“This is going to be an additional challenge for the garden and I’m not sure we’ll be able to handle it.”

The State Government has vowed to in coming weeks consult the community about the centre, which would operate at the Cohealth Central City community health hub on Victoria St.

A Department of Health and Human Services spokeswoman said the consultation process would be thorough and discuss local factors such as health and social service providers and “expectations” of local residents.

Melbourne City Council Deputy Lord Mayor Aaron Wood has said proposed injecting centre location didn’t make “any sense.”

Legislation would be needed for it to operate.

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