Liberals ready to reject Richmond injecting room

THE Victorian Coalition would dump a controversial drug injecting centre trial in Richmond if it wins the ­November state election.

THE Victorian Coalition would dump a controversial drug injecting centre trial in Richmond if it wins the ­November state election.

Debate has raged since it was revealed last week the Andrews Government would now allow ice to be used in the facility — several months after Mental Health Minister Martin Foley ruled out methamphetamines.

ICE TO BE ALLOWED INSIDE NORTH RICHMOND INJECTING ROOMS

DRUG USERS SOUGHT FOR HEROIN SUPERVISION JOBS AT NORTH RICHMOND INJECTING ROOM

The government argues it is listening to the experts, but critics within the coalition say it is “madness”.

The government argues it is listening to the experts on allowing ice use in injecting rooms, but critics within the coalition say it is ‘madness’.

It is understood the belief there appears to be no practical way to strip ice out of the trial — which the government says is needed to try to stop dozens of heroin overdose deaths — was the reason Opposition Leader Matthew Guy has changed his mind over continuing the program that ­begins mid-year.

Scrutiny of government spokesman Tim Smith released a video railing against the plan for an “ice injecting room” and vowed the coalition would “get rid of this thing”.

It was still unclear whether Mr Smith meant the centre as a whole.