Richmond safe injecting room to become permanent, Premier Daniel Andrews announces

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has revealed whether Melbourne’s controversial drug injecting room is here to stay.

Melbourne’s controversial safe drug injecting room is set to be made permanent, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.

The facility, located in North Richmond east of the CBD, was first opened in 2018 and has safely managed more than 6355 overdoses.

Mr Andrews’ government will introduce legislation to parliament on Tuesday that would make the service ongoing past its initial trial which was extended to five years.

“We will now strengthen the service to give clients better access to social, housing and mental health supports so the service continues to do what it is designed to do – save lives and change lives,” Mr Andrews said.

The drug injecting room in Richmond is set to become a permanent fixture. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

It comes after an independent panel, chaired by John Ryan, delivered the second independent review of the scheme last month.

Mr Ryan, along with members Chris Kotur and Robert Knowles, outlined 10 recommendations to the Mental Health Minister.

Among the recommendations are continuing the facility as an ongoing service, expanding support for users and expanding ways of addressing safety.

The state government said it will consider each recommendation of Mr Ryan’s review and working with residents, businesses and emergency services to support those impacted.

The review also found the safe injecting room had saved 63 lives since 2018.

North Richmond’s safe injecting room offers drug users a space where they can safely inject drugs and access services including mental health support, drug treatment and testing.

Plans for a similar second room for Melbourne’s CBD were first raised in 2020 with a decision on its fate expected in mid-2023.