Safe injecting rooms plans for North Richmond revealed

ADDICTS will have access to eight private injecting stations at Victoria’s first supervised drug taking centre in North Richmond. EXCLUSIVE: Take a look at the plans.

ADDICTS will have access to eight injecting stations at Victoria’s first supervised drug taking centre.

Plans for the long-awaited North Richmond facility have been released exclusively to the Herald Sun and include private injecting booths, two consulting rooms and an after-care area where patients will be monitored after getting their hit.

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The design has been released after the trial was given the green light late last year when the government relented in the face of intense pressure from the community.

A new law allowing the pilot came into effect last week, however it is not yet clear how the centre will be run or how police patrols in the area will be impacted.

An interim centre will be set up by June, with the final purpose built facility to come online in 2019.

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

Funded under the Andrews Government’s $87 million Drug Rehabilitation Plan, Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley said the latest developments brought Victoria one step closer to opening a medical injecting room.

“This is about saving lives and reducing the harm drugs cause to the community, and guiding clients to the appropriate treatment and support to end their addiction,’’ he said.

“We know the damage addiction causes to Victorian families — that’s why our Drug Rehabilitation Plan will help those affected by drug dependency get back on their feet, while cracking down on criminals to keep our communities safe.”

An artist’s impression of inside the new medical injecting room facility. Picture: Supplied

Local member Richard Wynne also welcomed the release of a plan for the centre.

“Too many people are losing their lives to heroin on Richmond’s streets and we have to act. We’re taking bold and brave action to save lives and make our streets safe.”

The need for a centre arose in recent years following a rising number of deaths around the local community from heroin.

Residents also complained of rampant drug dealing, overdoses and needles left in the street.

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Upper House MP Fiona Patten lobbied heavily for the facility early on and rounded up a

coalition of community leaders including former premier Jeff Kennett, unions and health experts.

Paramedics were also among groups who backed the plan saying it would reduce 2000 drug overdose call-outs per year.

An Expert Advisory Group has been established to assist on policy and operation of the room which will be finalised before the facility opens later this year.

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