INJECTING ROOM MYTHS

There are five widely held MYTHS about illicit drug injecting rooms these are-

• Injecting rooms are widespread
• Injecting rooms are legal
• Injecting rooms provide a solution to injecting drug use
• Injecting rooms are safe
• Injecting rooms have widespread support in the community

The only countries to allow injecting rooms are Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway and Luxembourg.

 (Source: Victoria Time Colonist (Canada) 28 May 2007)

The Drug Advisory Council of Australia Comments-

A further myth about injecting rooms is that they divert illicit drug users into rehabilitation to get them free of their addiction.

Injecting rooms facilitate drug use and maintain users in their addiction.

Significantly, only one state in Australia has approved an injecting room at Kings Cross in New South Wales.

The United Nations International Narcotics Control Board believes that the operation of the Kings Cross injecting room condones illicit drug use and drug trafficking.

Illicit drug injecting rooms are against the international illicit drug treaties that have been signed by Australian governments and which bind Australian policies against illicit drug use.

An illicit drug injecting room fuels demand for illicit drugs and channels money into the hands of drug criminals.

Australia’s high demand for illicit drugs causes problems for government agencies trying to stop drug imports and cash to criminals.

THE DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS-

More detoxification & rehabilitation that gets illicit drug users drug free.
Court ordered and supervised detoxification & rehabilitation.
Less illicit drug users, drug pushers and drug related crimes. 
21/2007